Former Women’s Amateur Championship winner Georgia Hall says 2023 venue Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich is among England’s top-10 courses
05:00, 11 June 2023
Former winner Georgia Hall has described Prince’s Golf Club as within England’s top-10 best courses ahead of the Women’s Amateur Championship.
Hall won in 2013 and is the UK’s highest-ranked female golfer at world No.9.
She has been offering her tips to those set to play in the 120th championship from June 13-18 at Prince’s in Sandwich, a course she rates highly.
Hall said: “I’d definitely say it’s top 10 in England that I’ve seen.
“I think that it’s actually quite tough - with a lot of hidden bunkers and hidden slopes. And being so close to the coastline, I think there’s always going to be wind!
“But whoever plays best, obviously, will come out on top.”
Hall reckons the course at Prince’s is just one of several good courses in Kent.
“There’s so many good golf courses,” she noted. “This is definitely one of the best ones.
“I think to have it on a true links golf course will be great as well. It’ll really test the players. I’m sure the UK players will have a slight advantage, playing in the wind.”
With the event set to feature the best amateurs across the globe, Hall hopes golf fanatics across the county will be out in force.
“It’s extremely important,” she said. “I think it’s really nice to get a lot of home support.
“It’s not very often big golf events are held in Kent so, when they have the chance, I think they should see how amazing the talent is.”
The first stage involves the field playing two rounds of 18. The 64 lowest scores will compete in the matchplay stage. Each match will consist of one round of 18 holes, with the Final taking place over 36 holes.
On what holes might be key, she said: “The 15th and the 16th. There’s a reachable par 5 there.
“Then 14 is a great hole, a very narrow green as well, so I think we’ll see some players go for it and end up in a tricky situation.”
This year’s champion will earn a place in three major championships, including the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath in August, something Hall won in 2018.
Hall said: “Winning it, obviously, got me into the AIG Women’s Open a couple of times without qualifying. That’s hard to do as an amateur - to qualify for pro events.
“It kind of gave me a lot of experience, going into that week.”
Tickets for the Women’s Amateur Championship are on sale at randa.org from £10 for adults, with a four-day ticket £25.
Under-16s go free accompanied by a paying adult and half-price tickets are on offer for those aged 16 to 25.