Prince’s Golf Club Named Finalist for England Golf Course of the Year 2025
Prince’s Golf Club has secured a place among only four finalists for ‘England: Golf Course of the Year’ at the 2025 Golf Course Awards, following seven years of extensive course redevelopment and facility upgrades.
The announcement comes as the historic Kent venue prepares to host the 2030 Walker Cup, marking the return of elite amateur golf to Sandwich Bay.
The nomination recognises Prince’s Golf Club‘s transformation since 2017, when the club partnered with golf course architect Martin Ebert to redesign its 27-hole championship layout.
The development programme has enhanced the Shore, Dunes and Himalayas loops whilst preserving the links’ heritage as the 1932 Open Championship venue where Gene Sarazen claimed victory.
Kent Links Course Transformation Continues
The redevelopment extends beyond the course itself.
Prince’s completed a major clubhouse refurbishment this year and will finish upgraded hospitality and practice facilities by winter 2025. These improvements align with the club’s preparation for hosting the 2030 Walker Cup, announced earlier this year by The R&A.
The course modifications have already attracted championship golf back to Sandwich Bay.
Prince’s hosted the 2023 Women’s Amateur Championship and served as Final Qualifying venue for The Open Championship from 2018 to 2022. The links now appears consistently in Top 100 rankings for Great Britain and Ireland courses.
This shortlisting is a testament to the passion and hard work of our entire team. The ongoing course development with Martin Ebert, the improvements to our facilities, and the honour of hosting the 2030 Walker Cup all reflect our determination to keep Prince’s evolving while respecting its unique heritage.
“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised among England’s very best,” said Rob McGuirk, General Manager at Prince’s Golf Club.
Three Championship Loops Enhanced
The Shore loop follows the coastline south with nine holes that include the sixth, playing to the same green where Sarazen won the 1932 Open.
The Dunes forms an anticlockwise loop with five holes heading south towards Royal St George’s boundary.
The Himalayas nine underwent the most significant changes under Mackenzie & Ebert’s design, including the creation of a new par-3 ‘Bloody Point’ hole at the course’s furthest point.
Each nine presents distinct challenges.
The Shore’s fourth hole features a severely undulating fairway, whilst the Dunes’ opening hole ranks among the course’s most difficult with its narrow green.
The Himalayas’ sixth hole stretches to 580 yards, representing a genuine par-5 for all skill levels with a new marshland water feature.
Lodge Accommodation and Dining
The venue offers on-site accommodation at The Lodge, featuring 14 rooms including two suites. Each room includes club storage, WiFi, and either bath or shower facilities.
The 1932 Grill provides dining options, named in honour of the club’s Open Championship heritage.
The Golf Course Awards celebrate clubs that set standards for course presentation, innovation, and visitor experience.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in late 2025. The recognition adds to Prince’s growing reputation as it enters what McGuirk describes as “perhaps its most ambitious period in modern history” since hosting the 1932 Open Championship.
The club’s evolution continues with Prince’s Golf Club balancing modern improvements with respect for its championship heritage.
The 2030 Walker Cup will provide another opportunity to showcase the enhanced facilities and redesigned layout to an international audience.
