Kent Golf Limited
The day the Claret Jug came to Sundridge Park GC
Date published: 14 Jul 2023
A heavenly nod to Sundridge Park professional Alf Padgham.
This year's Open Championship will be held at the Royal Liverpool GC, more familiarly known as Hoylake. For those who are perhaps less familiar with Sundridge Park's history, it is the venue at which Sundridge Park’s own professional, Alf Padgham, won the much coveted Claret Jug in 1936.
Less known perhaps than his victory is his exemplary record in the Open. Alf did not finish outside the top 10 between 1932 and 1938. Having come 3rd in 1934 and 2nd in 1935, it was only fitting that he completed the sequence by winning in 1936.
Photographs capturing the win are on display at the entrance of the main 'Alf Padgham' lounge at the Sundridge Park GC, including this one taken on the patio at Sundridge Park with the Claret Jug in hand.
For anyone who might think conditions were easier in those days, Hoylake played at 7078 yards in 1936, only 150 yards shorter than this year’s championship. And we’re fairly sure the course will not have been so well manicured as it will be for this year. A final score of 287 using “wooden woods”, hickory or steel shafts, a sweet spot the size of a pinhead, and balls that were slightly less than round should be greatly admired!!
We (Sundridge Park) should be rightly proud of our association with Alf and his great achievement will never be forgotten. We wish all this year's competitors good fortune and divot free golf in the hollows of Hoylake!!
Thank you to Sundridge Park GC for sharing the story.
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