With proceedings finally brought to a close at Royal St George’s, we can now report that on the eve of the Open Championship the second biggest event on the Kent coast last week took place at Royal Cinque Ports, just down the way. A gathering of the AGW’s great and the good (actually, not so great and not so good) teed it up for the R&A Salver, with Rob Perkins emerging as the winner with an outstanding score over a course that tested all the players to the limit. Few had seen, let alone played, a course with such punishing rough. As most of the field at the 149th Open discovered, anything missing the fairways was sorely punished.
It was great to be able to welcome two of our American members, Bob Harig and Rex Hoggard, from ESPN and the Golf Channel respectively. Play got under way just before 5pm, with the last group playing the final few holes almost at running pace in a bid to finish in daylight. They just failed in their attempt (approach shots were hit, never to be seen again) although James Nursey called on all his considerable skills to make par at the final hole. In every sense, it was impressive stuff.
In the end, Rob claimed victory by two points over Dan Murphy. His score of 33 stableford points, off a handicap of nine, was one of only two returns in the 30s and made him a deserved winner.
Thanks must go to Royal Cinque Ports and the club secretary, James Leah, for making us so welcome.
2021 R & A Salver – Results
Rob Perkins, 33pts
Dan Murphy, 31
James Nursey, 28
Dick Turner, 26
Peter Dixon, 23
Steve Carroll, 21
Neil McLeman, 20
David Facey, 19
Ian Mullins, 16
Bob Harig, Rex Hoggard, Neil Squires, Alex Perry, NR
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