Page:VCH Kent 1.djvu/607

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SPORT The following Kent cricketers have repre- sented England in Test Matches at home : Lord Harris, Messrs. F. Penn, E. F. S. Tyle- cote, W. M. Bradley with Martin and Blythe. Mr. J. R. Mason has been among the selected. The following Kent cricketers have toured in Australia : — Lord Harris (1878), Hon. Ivo Bligh (1882), Messrs. C. A. Absolom (1878), F. A. Mackinnon (1878), F. Penn (1878), E. F. S.Tylecote(i882), J. R. Mason (1897), C. J. Burnup (1902) and K. L. Hutchings (1907), with G. Bennett (1861), T. Sewell (1861), C. Blythe (1901 and 1907), and Fielder (1901 and 1907). The following Kent cricketers have played for the Gentlemen and Players match at Lord's since 1871 : Lord Harris, Hon. Ivo Bligh, Messrs. C. J. Ottaway, W. Yardley, F. Penn, E. F. S. Tylecote,'M. C. Kemp, S. Christopherson, W. H. Patterson, F. Mar- chant, W. C. Hedley, J. R. Mason, G. J. Mordaunt, W. M. Bradley, C. J. Burnup, K. L. Hutchings with G. G. Hearne, Martin and Fielder, Since 1878 the following Kent cricketers have appeared in the University match : For Oxford, Messrs. B. D. Bannon, E. W. Dillon, T. R. Hine Haycock, M. C. Kemp, C. H. B. Marsham, G. J. Mordaunt, W. H. Patterson, W. Rashleigh, A. J. Thornton and E. C. Wright. For Cambridge : Hon. Ivo Bligh, Hon. C. M. KnatchbuU-Hugessen, Messrs. R. N. R. Blaker, C. J. Burnup, S. H. Day, W. P. Harrison, R. S. Jones, F. M. Meyrick Jones, F. Marchant, T. N. Perkins, E. B. Shine and G. J. V. WeigaU. This brief review of the glorious record of Kent cricket has not permitted reference to the renowned Canterbury Festival, nor to the charming series of weeks at Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and elsewhere which combine to make Kent cricket the most delightful in contemporary sport. It is likely that in the future the elevens may surpass even the achievements of their predecessors. Moreover, in the true sense of the word, they ahvays play the game. GOLF The county of Kent possesses two characteristics which combine to make it a natural centre for golf — the sandy nature of a good part of its long coast-line, and the fine turf that covers its chalk down. When to these natural advantages is added that every part of it is within easy distance of London we are not surprised to find that golf courses of every shade of excellence are to be found within its borders. Kent is indeed the original home of golf in England, since the royal and ancient game has been played on Blackheath continually since the year 1608, when King James I introduced the Scottish game to the inhabitants of his southern kingdom. But the county possesses another title to fame in its four magnificent seaside courses of Sandwich (St. George's), Deal, Littlestone and Sandwich (Prince's) ; and there are those who maintain that neither in Scotland, nor at Hoylake, nor at Westward Ho ! can finer golf be obtained than on the famous links of these clubs. The golf courses of Kent may be classified, for convenience sake, in three groups — those which are laid out on true seaside turf with natural sand bunkers, and such hazards as are only found on sandy shores ; those that are within sound and sight of the sea, but being on down or marsh-land are lacking in ' 5 the real seaside character ; and those which are inland. Of the first group — the true seaside links — there are only four, but those four are of superlative excellence. The links of the Royal St. George's Club at Sandwich are the oldest of these. The club was founded in 1887, and it has always held among southern golf clubs the proud position to which the excellence of its links and its possession of a championship course entitle it. The course has been recently lengthened, and with its fine tee shots, the admirable length of its holes, the careful and accurate approach shots that are required, and its splendid greens, Sandwich will long maintain its notable position among first-class golf courses. Littlestone Club is one year younger, having been founded in 1888. The fine and lengthy course of this club is on the western shore of Dymchurch Bay, i mile from the ancient cinque port of New Romney. It is 6,128 yards long, the longest (i8th) hole being 528 yards in length. It can hardly be called a naturally difficult course, and the lies through- out the green are on turf of such surpassing excellence that a brassy is hardly anywhere required — a play-club is all that is needed to pick the ball up from a perfect lie. The first seven holes, which are furthest from the sea^ 13 6s