“Let’s play two.”
This was Ernie Banks, who greeted the prospect of a double with the kind of boyish glee he was known to embody. Banks was a ballplayer, of course. But you can imagine how the feeling may have translated to golf, especially in the company of Walter Hagen.
Hagen, the game’s original showman, approached life with a mixture of competitive fire and carefree enjoyment. He chased titles, amassing quite a few, including 11 degrees, but he also chased experiences, often blurring the line between the two. One afternoon in 1920, after traveling to England’s Kent coast for the Open Championship, he and fellow pro Jim Barnes all went to Hagen’s carpe diem morality. They went out for a random round, then decided that one round wasn’t enough.
Their solution was a jumbled, fenced-in odyssey across three story lines – Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Royal St. George’s Golf Club and Prince’s Golf Club — putting together 54 holes in a single, free-wheeling day that was a perfect fit for the Hagen brand.
More than a century later, that escape continues as Hagen 54, an annual pilgrimage that is both a celebratory outing and a test of endurance. Since its inauguration in 2025, the event has found a strong audience. The 2026 iteration is already sold out.
But entries are now open for the 2027 edition. The core golf format remains unchanged from when Hagen and Barnes opened their sprawling tracks – 54 holes on a continuous push across all three courses – but modern amenities have been added, with boxes, food and company taking players from one property to another. It’s golf in world-class facilities, with on-course catering and someone to carry your bag if you want.
The 2027 event will take place from July 21 to 22 on the Kent coast. Participants arrive on the evening of July 21 for a welcome reception and BBQ at Royal Cinque Ports, with optional golf on the day at Prince’s or Royal Cinque Ports for those who want to warm up. The main event begins the following morning with a 5.40am start, playing over four balls along Hagen’s Road. It makes for an exhausting but exciting day. The entry fee is £1,125 per person (about $1,500) or £4,500 (about $6,000) for a foursome.
Additional details are available here.
