Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club is ideal for a Lady Captain's away weekend - where fun-loving wives, mothers, and girlfriends can let their hair down!


TUDOR PARK MARRIOTT HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB

The Lady Captain’s weekend is always a date that’s put firmly in the diary as it gives fun-loving wives, mothers, grandmothers and girlfriends from different walks of life the opportunity to let their hair down and enjoy two days of golfing excitement and girlie company.

The last trip was no exception as we headed towards the hop fields and the well-known tourist attractions of Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral, before arriving at Tudor Park Hotel & Country Club in Kent.

The usual chore of checking-in was surprisingly quick and easy in the modern, spacious reception area where we were greeted by friendly staff and allocated one of the comfortable bedrooms. With time to kill before playing golf, we made ourselves at home in the Mezzanine Bar, ordered a golfer’s breakfast and waited for the eagerly anticipated draw and format for our weekend’s golf!

On the golf course

With pairings organised, we made our way to the Tudor Course and was met by a charming starter on the 1st tee. The par 71 course isn’t overly long (5281 yds), but its narrow fairways, bordered by plenty of mature pine trees and wooded areas, is a challenge for all levels of golfer. It’s definitely walkable but there are plenty of buggies available for hire for those who prefer a more leisurely round.

Designed around an ancestral deer park, it provides stunning views of the Kent countryside and has a good mix of par 4s and 5s, which certainly test your accuracy and precision off the tee and on some of the trickier greens.

It was a shame that we didn’t all heed the starter’s warning on one of the most difficult but interesting holes on the course, which came early in our round on the par-3 signature 4th hole. There was plenty of discussion about which club to take to ensure we hit the narrow green on the left-hand side, while avoiding the water hazard on the right to give us a chance of a magical birdie. Those who walked away with a par were absolutely delighted! There’s no doubt that the familiarity of each hole was an advantage the following day and this made our second round even more enjoyable.

After golf

After golf, those who needed to unwind from the rigours of the day and soothe aching limbs, visited the hotel’s lovely Park Health and Beauty Salon, either treated themselves to one of the many treatments on offer, got hot and bothered in the steam room or took a dip in the pool. Others returned to their rooms to rest before dinner, which was a hot buffet style affair in the contemporary designed Conical Grill Restaurant.

take the girls to tudor park zest bar

Due to the large number of guests occupying the restaurant at the same time, it was exceptionally busy and made conversation a little difficult, but at least it stopped us comparing answers to the quiz that the Lady Captain had set during dinner! The modern Zest Bar is the place to relax post-dinner and over a few nightcaps and the usual banter, we put the world straight!

This award winning, four-star Marriott hotel is working hard to encourage women into golf and runs several ladies’ and family events, especially throughout the summer. With good facilities and an enjoyable course, you won’t be disappointed if you decide to take the girls there.

Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club
Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent

Telephone 0162 2734334 or visit www.marriott.co.uk

Words by Kim Wild