Special Places - Hilversumsche Golf Club

The KLM Open, formerly the Dutch Open and celebrating its centenary next year, returns to Hilversumsche Golf Club for the second consecutive year and the 16th time overall since the event formed part of the inaugural season of the European PGA Tour in 1972. Located 40Km south-east of Amsterdam, Hilversumsche consistently ranks well inside the top 50 of the best golf courses in Continental Europe. A vast forest surrounds this beautiful wooded heathland layout, and abundant patches of heather bring an additional layer of colour to the course in the summer months. The rolling fairways are carved out through trees that are predominantly pine, but there are also some oak, beech and birch. Sometimes the avenues are quite tight, and other times the space opens up for more expansive play.

Hilversumsche Golf Club is very serious about environmental conservation and sustainability, holding a GEO (Golf Environmental Organisation) certificate. This means that the club adheres to strict environmental requirements and practises a sustainable management policy by conserving the flora and fauna, using water efficiently, and excluding the use of harmful herbicides and pesticides.

Hilversumsche was established in 1910 and H Burroughs laid down the original holes, with prodigious architect Harry S Colt – celebrated for work that included Wentworth, Muirfield and Royal Liverpool - reworking the design in 1918. Kyle Phillips recently remodelled the course, significantly updating a layout that had remained relatively untouched since modifications in the 1950’s.This marvellous golf course is 6315 metres long and plays to a par of 70. The round begins with a straightaway 430m par 4 that the members play as a par 5. The short 314m par 4 2nd will see the longer hitters trying to run their drive up onto the green through a narrow opening between two bunkers that front the green, and the 115m 5th hole will feel like target practice. Unusually, the front nine has no par 5’s, with three of the four par 3’s and both par 5’s on the back nine. The two closing holes – a short 320m par 4 and a very reachable 456m par 5 – give the exciting and realistic prospect of a birdie-eagle finish to the round on this course that is reminiscent of the heathland gems close to London.

Golfweather Editorial