Luffenham marks 100th birthday in grand style

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A series of special events, golf days and a Grand Ball marked this month’s centenary celebrations at The Luffenham Heath Golf Club, Rutland.

The club, whose past captains include, in 1928, the Prince of Wales – later to become the uncrowned King Edward VIII – welcomed hundreds of golfers and VIPs throughout the week, culminating in a Champagne reception and ball for 450 members and guests on Saturday July 9.

 The historic course, designed by renowned golf course architect Harry Colt, who was also responsible for the world-famous Wentworth and Sunningdale courses, opened in 1911 with a celebrity match featuring stars of the day James Braid and Harry Vardon, both of whom would become five-time Open Championship winners, watched by more than 1,000 spectators.

A century on and the special events at the club – recently selected as one of 14 Regional Qualifying venues for the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield – included a golf trick-shot show and a Spitfire fly-past following the President’s Centenary Trophy Day.

Club Captain John Edmond said: “We are enormously proud to celebrate 100 years of golf at The Luffenham Heath Golf Club and have been delighted to share this special week with so many members, guests and visitors.

“While the traditions of the club are strong, the values that underpin golf – honesty, integrity, sportsmanship and enjoyment of the game – are shared by all members and infuse the day-to-day activities at the club.”

Among the commemorative events – both on and off the course – were a Club Invitation, a show from leading golf trick-shot artist Jeremy Dale, Seniors’ Centenary Day, Ladies’ Centenary Trophy, Members’ Centenary Invitation Day, Veterans’ and Juniors’ Centenary Day, Captain’s Centenary Ladies’ Day and, on the final day ahead of the Grand Ball, a Captain’s Centenary Men’s Day.

Offering a timeless tranquillity the heathland course, which has been ranked among the top 120 courses in the UK, has undergone a significant upgrade in the past five years with the addition of two new greens, six new bunkers and the renovation of 70 existing bunkers, plus six new men’s tees and three new ladies’ tees.  It has also been extended to 6,550-yards from the championship tees.

*For more information on Luffenham Heath Golf Club visit www.luffenhamheath.co.uk

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