Joes Blog returns to report on the highlights of Spring and Summer 2025
Firstly, allow me to thank all our wonderful clients and fantastic staff for providing me with a job I could not have dreamed of. When leaving my profession as a social care worker behind me, I could not have dreamt where Lyons Links would bring me. I have met so many fantastic people since we founded the business, and had the opportunity to visit so many superb venues and courses. I am truly blessed.
Having assembled such an accomplished team at Lyons Links, most of my time is spent meeting and greeting clients, networking at events and luckily enough for me, visiting some of our fantastic suppliers. It is always a pleasure to meet clients who are having the trip of a lifetime, who are so complimentary of the assistance they have received from our staff team. Indeed, it is also very reassuring when clubs, hotels and transport providers are also singing our praises. In the travel industry, founders and directors of travel agencies are often invited to take "familiarisation trips". This is to ensure our clients are staying and playing at the best courses. I have been in the privileged position to take up some offers while competing at some amateur championship events.
Spring and Summer trips to Surrey and Kent.
Heathlands in Surrey and Berkshire
While we have found Ireland, Scotland, and Liverpool in the North West of England very popular destinations, we have had relatively few clients choose trips to the South East of England - those who have travelled there, have loved the destination. This year, I made it my mission to go there and see for myself if we can recommend clients to look at this as a new destination. It seems strange considering the history of some of the clubs in the region.
In my previous career, due to work commitments and indeed budget, I was unable to attend the Sunningdale Foursomes when the opportunity presented itself. This year I was lucky enough to compete in this most prestigious of events with Liam Grehan, a young pro from the KClub whom we have the privilege of sponsoring. While we were beaten in the first round, I have to say I was bowled over by the event and the venue. Having had the opportunity to play many of the best golf courses all over the world over the past few years, Sunningdale is this observer's opinion, certainly ranks as one of my favourites. My opinion was echoed by Padraig Harrington after he won The Seniors Open there this summer. He went as far as to suggest that every pro who played there loved the course and it is without doubt one of their favourite venues. The Old Course designed by Willie Park Junior and the New Course by Harry Colt opened in 1901 and 1923 respectively. Opinion is divided as to which course is better. Both are magnificent with the New course playing slightly longer. If you are thinking of taking a trip to London or it's environs Sunningdale is a "must visit" - if you can get on. Lyons Links can help with this.
Other Heath land courses in the vicinity include Walton Heath (Host to multiple R&A Championships), Swinley Forest, St George's Hill, Worpleston, Woking, Berkshire, West Hill. During the summer, these Heathland courses will play very similar to links courses with fast running fairways on sandy soil. The weather in this part of the UK is generally much more predictable than Ireland, Scotland or even Liverpool, with warm dry summers typical. With London on the doorstep and so many non-golf activities to enjoy, this is a superb destination, particularly if you combine it wth some spectacular golf on the Kent Coast.
The Links in Kent
I must start by publicly saying thanks to Colin Sinclair of Royal St Georges, Robert McGuirk of Princes and James Leah of Royal Cinque Ports for inviting me to visit this famed stretch of links land on the South East Coast of England. Also, a big thanks to Sam Smitherman, Pro at Cinq Ports for accompanying me for a round and my good friend Rupert Kellock for joining me at St Georges.
It seems phenomenal to me that a stretch of coastline that contains three back to back Open Championship venues became the road less travelled. Thankfully, the aforementioned gentlemen have advised me that these great links are very much open for business and have improved access for visitors. It is now possible to play all three links, three days back to back, starting any day except Saturday.
Princes is a superb place to stay, with The Lodge onsite providing all the modern essentials including a living room, kitchen, wifi and ensuite in the apartments right next door to the clubhouse. The clubhouse has a very good bar and restaurant menu and serves a superb English breakfast. Golf at Princes offers three distinct nines, all of which are of a very high standard. The Shore, The Dunes and the Himalayas. All three are very good.
The shore does a clockwise loop around the shoreline. The 6th is the post-war 18th playing to the same green where Gene Sarazen won the 1932 Open Championship. The Dunes loops anti-clockwise and is the longest of the three nines. It is suggested that The Himalays is the members' favourite. A redesign from renowned Links architects Mackenzie & Ebert has made this nine challenging but also very aesthetically pleasing to the eye with clever bunkering, sea views and a beautiful marshland feature.
Royal Cinque Ports is the first of the three clubhouses and golf courses encountered when arriving from Deal. The clubhouse walls are dripping with history and the welcome is second to none. Lunch was superb too. James Leah, General Manager had a big welcome for me and introduced me to the club pro Sam, my playing parnter that afternoon.
After a superb lunch, we teed off on what is a modest and genteel opening hole. From the 2nd hole to the 18th, the course presented a superb challenge. The course for the most part heads north along the shore before completing a loop before returning home. The biggest compliment I can give the course is that I cannot understand why it is still not on the Open Rota. For me, the last 5 holes, shaped so dramatically, would provide for a compelling finish to any Open Championship. The only thing that took the gloss of this was round is that I lost my match with Sam. A pity I didn't pay more attention to him and I might have done a little better when I returned to compete at The Amateur Championship some weeks later.
Royal St Georges is simply superb. The staff, the pro-shop, the clubhouse, practice facilities but most of all the golf course, provide a visitor experience second to none. Getting the opportunity to play a round here in late April with my friend Rupert before returning to compete in The Amateur Championship in early June were highlights of my summer. Apart from the history associated with golf course, and the opportunity to play a course on the current Open Championship rota, the routing and design of the course blew me away. With two loops of nine holes, similar to Muirfield, and undulating fairways that are throwback to the origins of the game, this is course not to be missed. Having had a disastrous round of 78 in the first round of the Amateur Championship at Cinq Ports this year, I was immensely proud to shoot 70 in the second round at Royal St Georges.
A golf trip to South East England?
It seems strange to be offering such historic and prestigious courses as a new destination, however, with increased access to tee-times there has never been a better opportunity to knock off some more of your bucket list golf courses. For those of you who are links fanatics and have travelled the length and breadth of Ireland and Scotland, this is definitely a destination worth considering.
The links golf in Kent comfortably rubs shoulders with the best of Ireland, Scotland and Liverpool, while the heathland courses nearer London have a charm of their own. In fact, during the summer they play very similar to Links courses. As one of the great cities of the World, London will appeal to golfers and non-golfers alike, with a plethora of non-golf activities and sightseeing opportunities at hand. More predictable summer sunshine and good flight options are two more factors that make the South East of England a very real proposition for your next UK or Ireland golf trip.
For a free custom itinerary please email [email protected] or fill out the contact form here
No wins to date in 2025
It always feels a little strange reporting on my own golf, but many of you have requested to be kept informed of progress. Unfortunately instead of progress there has been some regression this year. Having won three National SeniorChampionships (Spain. Ireland and Portugal) last year it was always going to be tough one to follow. While there have been no wins to date this this year, some decent performances have earned me selection on our National Seniors Team to represent Ireland at the European Seniors Team Championships in Austria in September. Having won bronze the last three years in a row, here's hoping we can go two steps further and bring home gold this year.
As previously suggested, I feel blessed to be able to rely on such a great team and loyal clients, which affords me the opportunity to continue to pursue my passion and play competitive amateur championship golf. Thank you all.
Until again, down the middle, Joe
