A POPULAR golf club will tee off on a week of celebrations to mark 100 years since it opened in 1922.

Boyce Hill Golf Club, in Benfleet, is turning 100 years old in May and has received a letter from the governing body of golf highlighting the club’s success.

The club is one of the most popular golf courses in Essex, and will be hosting the Essex County Amateur Championships this summer to celebrate.

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A week of celebrations will also take place, alongside open competitions, in July.

Scott Clark, general manager at Boyce Hill, said it is an amazing achievement for the club.

He said: “It is a massive landmark for us as a club, every club that reaches its centenary year in this day and age gets a letter from the captain of the RNA, the governing body of golf, which we have now received and is amazing.

“To celebrate, this year we are hosting the Essex County Amateur Championships, which is a really nice thing for us.

“As a club, we are marking the year with a week of celebrations at the end of July, where we will be hosting some members competitions as well as a series of open competitions every day from the July 25 until the July 29.

“We are also having a centenary ball as a big celebration on the Saturday, July 30.

“After the tough two years everyone has endured, it is nice to see the club come out the other end with a big year to celebrate with.”

“The aim is now another 100 years, without a doubt.”

The club initially opened as a nine-hole course, before being redesigned by five-time Open Champion, James Braid, to transform it into an 18-hole course.

The Benfleet club has also had a number of successful golfers connected with Boyce Hill, including Graham Burroughs, who has been head professional for more than 40 years, as well as a number of players who have ended up representing England.

Boyce Hill Golf Club will also be planting 100 new trees to make the occasion.

Scott added: “We are going to be planted 100 trees for 100 years to also mark the occasion.

“Members will be sponsoring trees to be planted and their names will be going up on an honours board as a legacy effectively.”

Boyce Hill still has places available for competitions in the celebration week. If interested email secretary@boycehillgolfclub.co.uk