Golf in Flanders DID YOU KNOW… Part 4
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S I G H T S - S O U N D S - V I E W S - TA S T E S
Golf in Flanders
DID YOU KNOW… Some sample itineraries…
THERE IS A LOT OF HISTORY IN FLANDERS, A REGION WHICH BECAME AFFLUENT IN THE MIDDLE AGES THROUGH ITS TRADE POSITION. THE MAIN GRAIN AND WOOL TRADE WAS CONDUCTED IN BRUGES AND GENT AND CURRENTLY, ANTWERP, ONE OF EUROPE’S MAIN AND BUSIEST PORTS IS THE MAIN CENTRE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DIAMOND TRADE.
ANTWERPEN - ANTWERP PLAY ROYAL ANTWERP, CLEYDAEL, RINKVEN AND TERNESSE
GENT - GHENT PLAY OUDENAARDE, LATEM
BRUGGE - BRUGES PLAY DAMME, OSTEND, KNOKKE AND PALINGBEEK
LEUVEN - LEUVEN PLAY MILLENNIUM, SPIEGELVEN, ROYAL LIMBURG AND WINGE
BRUSSEL - BRUSSELS THE BRABANTSE, ROYAL BELGIUM, THE NATIONAL, KAMPENHOUT


PART 4 SOME SAMPLE ITINERARIES GOLFINFLANDERS.COM
Did you know that Brussels Airport, on the North side of Belgiums capital is not more than 1 hour away from most cities to base yourself in. Did you know that Antwerp is one of Flanders’ most diverse cities. From the medieval squares dotted around the imposing cathedral, to the bars and restaurants on the ‘South’ surrounding the old filled in docks, Antwerp has it all. From bustling shopping streets to a thriving bar and restaurant scene, you are never far away from a quality meal with a typical Belgian beer. Golf is not far removed from the city centre so basing yourself in Antwerp will see you playing golf within half an hour from the centre of town. Royal Antwerp, the 2nd oldest golf club on the continent has recently been restored to resemble the characteristics of the traditional layout from the ‘30s. Not too far away is the 36-hole Rinkven Golf & Country Club. Extensive work on the courses has been undertaken over the years to really bring this, previously relatively bland layout into the 21st century and create 2 loops of 18 that are modern and challenging. The club will host the Belgian Knock Out next year, the return of the Belgian Open but
with a new innovative format and fronted by Thomas Pieters, this event will show golf in and around Antwerp at its finest. Venture South to Cleydael Golf & Country Club where the 14th century moated castle serves as the stylish clubhouse and is a landmark feature on a couple of the holes. There is plenty of golf around Antwerp and the city is one of the top destinations for city breaks in Europe. Did you know that Ghent is Lonely Planet’s best kept secret? The city has undergone a serious transformation from being the city between Antwerp and Bruges to becoming a serious contender for tourists wanting to find an alternative. It can be reached from Bruges, Antwerp and Brussels by train and ongoing restorations make it a great destination. Stay in the Marriott Ghent with the adjacent Midtown Grill and walk out the door to be immersed in one of Europe’s historic cities. Golf is played along the river Leie in St, Marten’s Latem, a village renowned for art and painting. The Royal Latem Golf Club, home club of one of Belgium’s pioneer golfers Donald Swaelens, is a parkland gem. Swaelens was the only Belgian to get invited to the US Masters before Nicolas Colsaerts and Thomas Pieters but cancer prevented him from participating. It’s a traditional layout remodelled by Fred Hawtree with bunkers being more visual deterrents than actual hazards. Latem is a sleepy village with craft shops and fine restaurants but the food in the clubhouse, as indeed in most clubhouses in Belgium, is excellent.
Half an hour out and Oudenaarde Golf & Country Club, a 36 hole layout surrounding the Petegem Castle awaits you. Oudenaarde is situated in land reclaimed from the river Schelde which is a dominating feature in the whole of Flanders. The Port of Antwerp thrives along that same river. Both courses are typical parkland layouts with mature trees and waterhazards needing attention on both tee shots as approaches to the large greens.
of tees and greens has really made a difference to the course and the challenge. Of course, the city of Bruges is one of Flanders’ most visited sites with the Unesco Heritage medieval centre attracting visitors from all over the world. It’s touristy, it’s busy, it’s not cheap but it is very much worth a visit. For staying over, Ghent with the fabulous Marriott Hotel is your best option. It’s easy enough to reach the golf clubs.
Did you know that the Belgian coastline is only 60 km North to South. Although relatively short, there is plenty of action with he seaside town of Ostend dominating. There are several ports dotted along the coastline and Zeebrugge is the main gas tanker port in Europe. North of the port, the seaside resort of Knokke houses one of Belgium’s best courses. If you want style and class, Knokke is your place but be prepared to fork out for food and drink. It’s Belgium’s rich’s playground. The Royal Zoute Golf Club hosted many of the Belgian Opens with Westwood taking he last one back in 2000. It was heralded as one of the best courses on tour and is going through an upgrading phase to bring it in line with modern technology. Nearby is the Damme Golf & Country Club, one of the most thriving members’ clubs with 18 Championship holes and a modern ‘linksy' President’s 9 which is a treat to play. The Royal Ostend Golf Club is Belgium’s only links course. Again, extensive renovations and upgrading
Did you know that the university of Leuven was found in 1425. We’re now heading eastwards and Leuven is Belgium’s main university town. It’s also home to Stella Artois and the two combined means there is no shortage of cafe’s and bars. Back in the day, cities were enemies of each other and Leuven decided to build a copy of the Brussels city hall but eventually ran out of money and ended up with … half a copy! Again, Leuven is a good base to go and play Winge Golf, an undulating course around the Winge manor house.
Nearby’s Millennium Golf, founded in 2000 and recently in new ownership with the participation of the Pieters family, is one of Belgium’s true modern championship courses. It’s long and wide or short and tight, it has water and lots of it and bunkers, plenty of them. It’s built in a ‘mixed recreation area’ which means you will see cyclists, walkers, bodyboarders, sailing classes, swimming, canoeing and other activities in and around the golf complex. It’s all cleverly designed and gives a sense of activity and sportiveness, which is nice to see. The sandy soil in Limburg is a course architect’s dream with both Spiegelven (Ron Kirby) and Royal Limburg (Fred Hawtree) laid out on the fast draining soil. Both courses feature heather and pine tree lined fairways and require precision with tee shots.
Did you know that the Martin’s Hotel Group is Belgium’s most active golf hotel group for years now. Their Martins’ Golf Pass has been a firm favourite with international golfers. Martin’s is a fascinating company as they take non conforming buildings and turn them into fabulous hotels. The ‘Patershof’, which was previously a Franciscan church in Mechelen and now an eccentric hotel. The ‘Klooster’ in Leuven, a monastery built in 1531 to accom-
modate the rooms of Guy Morillon, Emperor Charles V's secretary. Afterwards, it became an Augustinian monastery, in whose hospice the sick and wounded were cared for and pilgrims could rest up for their pilgrimage to Compostela and now a city centre hotel within walking distance of all the historic landmarks.
Did you know that the Marriott Hotel in Ghent was built on the Korenmarkt where in medieval times, the wold’s grain trade was conducted. The old trading houses were gently incorporated in this modern property with big rooms and modern amenities. It’s right smack bang in the middle of the old city centre and has a convenient underground parking. Did you know that renting a car in Brussels airport is easy and Hertz is at hand to provide you with the wheels required to whizz around the Flemish golf courses.


Golf in Flanders Did you know …
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