Local Final Qualifying for The Open Championship was held on Tuesday 28th June 2011, four of the local courses held qualifying including Prince’s Golf Club, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Littlestone and Rye. Conditions at Prince’s were perfect, a warm morning with a slight breeze was ideal for players and scoring. Play started at 06.30, under the direction of Prince’s Past Captains, with the field including 2005 U.S. Open Champion Michael Campbell. Thomas Shadbolt led after round one with a score of 66 on the Shore and Dunes courses, the courses were stretched to 7228 yards for the event playing from the new Championship tees. Four players tied on 68 including Simon Edwards, Francis McGuirk, Stephen Gray and Michael Campbell.
Round 2 was interrupted with lightening, players were called off the course at 14.00 for a delay of around 2 hours. Players were finally back on the course at 16.00 when play resumed, the field raced the course to be finished in time with light. At approximately 21.00 Stuart Lloyd, the Tournament Organiser announced the good news for three players. A play off was not needed with Simon Edwards, Thomas Shadbolt and most notably Francis McGuirk qualifying for The Open Championship. The 140th Open Championship will be held at our close neighbours, The Royal St Georges Golf Club from 14th to 17th July.
Cheers went off around the Spike Bar and Score boards, all members and guests were delighted to hear the news, Club professional Francis McGuirk would be playing and walking in the footsteps of some of the greats. Francis McGuirk only made it to Local Final Qualifying via a last-hole eagle during Regional Qualifying at London Golf Club; a fantastic couple of weeks awaited the local lad.
