Royal Cinque Ports

Overview

Royal Cinque Ports has been the scene of many championships, including The Open in 1909 (won by J.H. Taylor) and 1920 (won by George Duncan), as well as some of golf’s most prestigious amateur events. 'Deal' as it is commonly known, after the adjacent town, is a traditional out-and-in layout - with the final stretch of holes commonly playing into a prevailing wind. Gary Player describes 15-18 as the best consecutive stretch of four holes anywhere in the world. Over the years, the Club’s membership has included ‘the great and the good’, as well as the ordinary golfer. These include Royalty, Prime Ministers and MPs, as well as celebrated golf professionals, journalists and commentators. What we enjoy most about Royal Cinque Ports is how traditional values are tempered with a willingness to look at modern ideas. A school of thought that's embodied by two of the club's most senior staff - James Leah (Secretary) and Sam Smitherman (Professional). Both are young and dynamic. They serve as custodians of the club's history and idiosyncrasies but at the same time ensure members (and visiting golfers) don't miss out on any technological advances or improvements in the game.