Open has put Kent firmly on golf map

Published:

A two-year Visit Kent campaign promoting the county as an international golfing destination is establishing a legacy that will provide support to local tourism businesses for many years to come.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, Chief Executive at Visit Kent, said she was delighted that the Open Golf at Sandwich had been a major triumph offering outstanding golf and achieving thousands of hours of global media coverage for the course.

And she was particularly pleased when, as the tournament reached its final stages, BBC commentator Peter Alliss complimented Visit Kent on air for its hard work not only in attracting people to the competition but also making them feel so welcome during their visit.

“However, an even more important goal for us has been ensuring that this four-day event is not a one-off success story,” she said.

“Throughout our marketing campaign to develop Kent as a top European golfing destination, launched at the European Golf Championship atLondon Golf Club in 2009, we have been working closely with all our golf courses, accommodation providers, international golf tourism providers and the global golf media. We have been building awareness of the fantastic courses and facilities available in our county. And the interest has been phenomenal.

“Kent is a perfect destination for golfers of all levels – right on London’s doorstep. Plus there is a wealth of attractions for family members not so eager to spend all their time on the greens.

“With our golf courses, accommodation providers – such as Shepherd Neame – and other Visit Kent investors, we have developed a series of golf breaks and packages with Golfbreaks.com, Europe’s largest golf travel company. More are in the pipeline.

The Visit Kent golfing campaign has also built on the tourism champions’ existing strong links with tourism specialists in the Nord Pas De Calais and Kent’s Cross-Channel operators to create two-centre golfing breaks.

“Our fully-integrated golf marketing campaign has been, and continues to be, partnership-working at its best,” said Mrs Matthews-Marsh.

“Once again pooling the resources at Kent County Council, local authorities, transport providers, Visit Kent, and the county’s top tourism, leisure and tourism businesses, we have demonstrated that we are more than capable of hosting international sporting events and the global media that accompanies them.

Many Kent courses belong to 2-FORE!-1 and are availabe to play at seriously discounted green fees at 2-FORE!-1 teetimesonline. 

*For more information about golf in Kent, visit www.visitkent.co.uk/golf

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