On any occasion that Royal St George’s stages The Open Championship, there is one picturesque short hole always sure to command plenty of attention and provide the best viewing spot on the course for those lucky enough to be at the Open.
Known as the Maiden, the sixth at Sandwich is an iconic par-3 that ranks among the most scenic on The Open rota. Named after the shape of the towering dunes surrounding it, the long two-tiered green, set at an angle to the tee, can be tricky if a shot finds the wrong level. Bunkers surrounding the putting surface await anything pulled, pushed, or under-clubbed.
The founder of Royal St George’s, Dr William Laidlaw Purves, likened the shape of the dune to the ‘Jungfrau’ summit in the Swiss Alps, and so ‘the Maiden’ was born. In the club’s early years, the tee was position behind the dune such that players had to hit a blind shot over the peak. The original tee location is no longer in play however, and the current sixth hole provides a more conventional challenge, with the signature dune now positioned to the left of the green when looking from the tee.
A great hole at a great championship links. For some visuals and more info on the hole, click the link below to go to the Royal St. Georges website.
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