The cathedral crazy golf dividing opinion but providing results
More tee, vicar? The Rochester Cathedral crazy golf story has taken the golf and, err, cathedral worlds by storm.
In one of the more, shall we say, unlikely stories of 2019, the Kent cathedral has installed a temporary nine-hole crazy golf course in its central aisle. A fairway to heaven, if you will. (How many puns do we have to do?)
It has been put into action by the Rochester Bridge Trust, who have paid for the crazy golf course which features models of a range of bridges including the original Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which stretches across the River Thames from Essex to nearby Dartford.
See the full opening times of our Bridges Adventure Golf in @RochesterCathed: https://t.co/ebXPs5uz1M pic.twitter.com/dIpvMaWlMc
— Rochester Bridge (@RochesterBridge) August 3, 2019
Both parties involved – the Trust and the Cathedral – have their own goals which justify the decision to make the bold move.
For the Cathedral and its religious community, it is hoped that the people who visit the attraction will be able to acknowledge that there are bridges to be built in all aspects of life that are not just physical.
This is the crazy result of a reverend's idea to turn Rochester Cathedral into a mini-golf course.
But will people pray as well as play? https://t.co/NZgkXe3Vw6 pic.twitter.com/GDblVWmIOA
— ITV News (@itvnews) July 30, 2019
Meanwhile, the Bridge Trust are hoping that the structures of the bridges that feature throughout the course will be observed by all who visit.
Having been in place for the summer, details are now emerging about what impact the attraction has had in terms of young people visiting the cathedral.
According to the Dean of Rochester, there have been “between 250 to 300” young people heading through the doors each day.
Not only are they spending time on the course, they are also exploring the rest of the building and Dean Hesketh said: “people have said they will come back.”
On top of this, there has been a 22%increase in prayer station candles lit by visitors which could signal an increased draw for the cathedral.
Rochester Cathedral crazy golf: The reaction
As you can expect, not everyone is happy…
I was “ordained” as an Anglican in this Cathedral. What an embarrassing shambles. https://t.co/PoV5sZQdbm
— Fr David Palmer (@FrDavidPalmer) July 28, 2019
But the Archbishop of Canterbury has had his say on the matter: “If you don’t know how to have fun in cathedrals then you’re not doing your job properly.” Quite.
Shall we end on a joke? Rochester Cathedral has been around for more than 1,400 years – which is about how long it takes JB Holmes to play a round of golf.
So what are your thoughts? Or have you been to play? Let us know in the comments below, or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Joe Hughes
Tour editor covering men's golf, women's golf and anything else that involves the word golf, really. The talk is far better than the game, but the work has begun to change that.
