The week The Open came to Kent

For the first time since 2011, Royal St. George’s played host to the world’s finest golfers.

An R&A (Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews) spokesman said: “The Open’s return to Royal St. George’s has been a real success and we are pleased to have held a safe and secure Championship that was enjoyed by the tens of thousands of fans who attended.

"We are extremely grateful to the local agencies and the communities in Kent for their support in staging the Championship.

“The Open is a showcase not only for Royal St George’s but for Sandwich, Kent and the Southeast of England as a whole. The long-lasting image it creates in the minds of the millions of fans around the world who watched on television will inspire many of them to visit the region in the years to come.

Sky Sports’ sweeping shots of the Thanet coast showed Royal Sands Ramsgate in all its glory too (see below).

It provided an excellent opportunity for tourists from far and wide to see what Sandwich, and even Kent as a whole, have to offer.

A spokesman from Dover District Council said: "The Open is the biggest sporting event regularly hosted in Kent, and we worked hard with partners to engage with local businesses, and to keep the town open and accessible.

"The Open is the perfect showcase for the district and county on an international stage, and provides a wealth of opportunities for the visitor economy and hospitality businesses, before, during, and after the event.

"We worked with Sandwich Town Council and the local Chamber to help local businesses make the most of the opportunity of having one of the world’s greatest sporting events taking place close to the town, and to provide a warm welcome to Sandwich.”

Many stars and celebrities were present over the course of the weekend as well.

Princess Anne was the guest of honour on Friday (July 16) at The Open golf championships in Sandwich.

Accompanied by her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, the pair spoke to other attendees to the competition for the Claret Jug.

The event was also visited by Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman, comedian Michael McIntyre and One Direction’s Niall Horan who stayed in Sandwich for the weekend.