Who's who: Henry Longhurst

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: Henry Longhurst

  • Name:

    Henry Carpenter Longhurst
  • Country:

    England
  • Lived:

    [1909-1978]. Born on March 18, 1909 in Bedford, England. Died on July 21, 1978 in Cuckfield, Sussex, aged 69.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Bedfordshire GC
  • Occupation:

    Accomplished amateur golfer, golf writer, radio & TV commentator, politician.
  • Turned Pro:

    n/a

Roll of Honour

Golf correspondent of the Sunday Times of London for 45 years. German Amateur Champion (1936). Honorary Life Member of the R&A (1977). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 2017). Member of Parliament for Acton (1943-45). Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, CBE (1972).

Did you know?

During an excellent amateur career, in which he captained the men's golf team in his final year at Cambridge University (1931), Longhurst became German Amateur champion (1936) and runner-up in the French Amateur (1937).

Beginning his career in golf journalism for a small monthly golf magazine, Longhurst's wit and astute observations impressed the editors at the Sunday Times of London, who offered him the opportunity to become the newspaper's golf correspondent. He held that position for the next 40 years, while also contributing regular features to Golf Illustrated magazine.

From the late 1950s to the end of his life in 1978, Longhurst was BBC Television's senior golf commentator. Of his many quotes, perhaps the best known is “they say 'practice makes perfect.' Of course, it doesn't. For the vast majority of golfers, it merely consolidates imperfection.” His shoes as BBC's lead commentator were filled by Peter Alliss.

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Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

Who's Who

Céline Boutier: with many successes as both an amateur and professional golfer, Boutier added a major championship title to her impressive résumé at this year’s Evian Championship.

Alex Cejka: buffeted by rain and high winds, especially on the high-scoring final day, Čejka prevailed over Pádraig Harrington in a playoff at Royal Porthcawl, to scoop the Senior Open Championship title.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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