Kent National Golf & Country Club (Moatlands). (1993

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Kent National Golf & Country Club (Moatlands), Brenchley. (1993 - 2009)

Founded 1993 originally known as Moatlands, Watermans Lane, Brenchley, Kent.

Masssive Japanese investment with varying opinions on the hi-spec course layout by the Japnese designer, K Saito/Taiyo. Each hole had a 150 – 300 mm sand carpet which formed the sub base and allowed play in the wettest conditions, apparently there was a large hole in Maidstone where the sand was taken from. The greens were fast and generally true, but the bunkering on the 18th came in for a lot of comment, it snaked up the whole fairway and then in front of the green. A lot of the locals opposed the course from the outset. There were problems with planning permission for a new clubhouse, running costs were mounting and financially, shall we say, things were getting complicated. The 18 hole 7,060 yard course gradually fell into decline and mother nature has since taken over. It was thought that green staff stayed on for a while but the course finally closed in about 2009, all the equipment was auctioned a year later.

From the 1994 Golfer's Handbook; Moatlands; General Manager, T Kusaba; 18-holes, SSS 74; Fees, £30 weekdays, (£40 weekends).

Advert from March 1995.

Sevenoaks Focus Wednesday 22 March 1995. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Fund raising event in October 1997.

Kent and Sussex Courier Friday 24 October 1997. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1998/2002; Founded 1993; Membership, 500 (600 in 2002); Secretary, K Wiley; Professional, Simon Wood; 18-holes, 7,060 yards, Par 72, SSS 74; Fees in 1998, £27, (£37) in 2002, £29, (£39).

By 2005 it was appearing as Kent National Golf & Country Club. The Director of Operations was M Orwin and the professional J Eldridge.

Golfer's Handbook 2006 - 2009; Kent National G&CC; Director of Operations, M Orwin; Professional, J Eldridge; 18-holes, 7,060 yards, Par 72, SSS 74; Fees, £35, (£45) Twilight, £20, (£25).

Below course scorecards and course pictures.