Claret Jug at Fishergate – DDC
Following years of preparation and a year-long delay due to the pandemic, Sandwich is ready to host golf’s original championship as The Open returns to its spiritual English home at Royal St George’s from 11-18 July 2021.
The Open has been held at Royal St George’s more times than any other Championship venue in England, with 2021 marking the fifteenth time the course has hosted The Open since 1894.
With neighbouring golf clubs, Princes and Royal Cinque Ports, also previous venues for The Open, the Dover district has hosted the world’s best golfers on eighteen occasions.
Nadeem Aziz, Chief Executive of Dover District Council, has thanked The R&A, Royal St George’s Golf Club, Kent County Council, East Kent district councils, and all the partners involved in bringing The 149th Open back to Kent.
He said: “The Open is the biggest sporting event regularly hosted in Kent and always involves a huge amount of planning on the part of local partners. But organising The 149th Open has been like no other with the challenges of Covid-19.
“The first priority for all of us has been the safety of the players, officials, spectators, volunteers, event staff and the local community. Rigorous protocols are in place at Royal St George’s.
“The R&A has worked tirelessly with public health officials both nationally and locally as part of the Government’s Events Research Programme and we’re doing everything to minimise the risks and to ensure that everyone can enjoy a week of world-class golf.
“Of course, everyone has a part to play both on the course, and out and about in the local community, and we urge everyone to respect, protect and enjoy.
“The return of The Open to Royal St George’s is the perfect showcase for the district and county and a real boost for the visitor economy and hospitality businesses.”