Ken Cotton
Name:
Charles Kenneth "Ken" CottonAlso known as:
Ken or "C.K."Country:
EnglandLived:
[1887-1974]. Born on Oct 14, 1887 in Sonning, Berks. Died Oct 2, 1974 in Whitchurch Hill, Reading, Berkshire (aged 86).Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Golf course architect.Turned Pro:
n/aSeveral of Cotton's designs were collaborative projects with one or more of his partners Frank Pennink, Charles Lawrie and Donald Steel. Cotton's best known work includes, but is not limited to:
BRITAIN & IRELAND:
Army GC, Hants (1974, with Pennink & Lawrie) / Cradoc, Powys (1967) / Downfield, Dundee (1964, redesign) / Frilford Heath GC (1964, Green course extension to 18-holes, with Pennink) / Ganton, N Yorks (1948 & '52, improvements) / Hexham GC (1951, redesign) / Pennard, W Glams (1964, modifications) / Ross-on-Wye GC, Herefordshire (1962) / St Pierre, Monmouthshire (1962, Old course) / West Lancashire GC (1960, redesign).
CONTINENTAL EUROPE:
Ascona GC, Switz (1960s, modifications) / Bergamo-L'Albenza, Italy (1961, with Martin Sutton) / Bologna GC, Italy (1959, with Cdr John Harris) / GardaGolf, Italy (1986, with Pennink & Steel) / Keerbergen, Belgium (1968, with Pennink & Lawrie) / Olgiata GC, Italy (1961) / St Knuds, Denmark (1954) / Venezia GC, Italy (1951, added second nine).
AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST:
Royal Tangier (1967, redesign with Frank Pennink).
The son of a Church of England vicar, Ken Cotton initially teamed-up with fellow architects Charles Lawrie and Frank Pennink, and then in 1965 Donald Steel was also brought onboard to create the golf course design firm of Cotton (CK), Pennink, Lawrie, Steel & Partners.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
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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