KENT’S golfing fraternity is mourning the loss of Sam King who has died at the age of 91.

Mr King was born in March 1911, barely a drive’s distance away from Knole Park, Sevenaoks, where he would later serve as the club professional for 21 years.

Mr King worked as a caddie at Knole Park before he graduated to the professional ranks and qualified for his first British Open in 1932.

This was the first of a run of appearances spanning 30 years, during which time he finished in the top ten on nine occasions. He also represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Ryder Cup both before and after the Second World War, during which he served in the Home Guard.

At his final appearance at The Open, in Troon in 1962, he was already being described as an “old master". But in the later stages of his career he became known as a great coach, before finally retiring in 1976, when he moved to Lincolnshire. He is survived by two daughters.