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Hilversumsche, Netherlands |
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Hilversumsche Golf Club
Soestdijkerstraatweg 172
1213 XJ Hilversum
Netherlands |  | Harry Colt, Sir Guy Campbell and Kyle Phillips |  | Not known |
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 | +31 (0) 35 685 7060 |  | 3km E of Hilversum |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact in advance |  | Karin Eliëns |
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Hilversumsche Golf Club is one of the most exclusive clubs in the Netherlands but thankfully you can still get a midweek game if you book in advance. Hilversum was founded in 1910 and H. Burrows laid down the original nine holes in 1917. Harry Colt added a further nine holes in 1928 and Sir Guy Campbell made further modifications, most notably to the par fives, in the early 1950s. This delightful course, which winds its way though the woods and the forest, has played host to numerous Dutch Opens – 11 in 20 years from 1987 to 2006 – and it has just got even better.
Kyle Phillips has recently remodelled Hilversum and stiffened it up for future generations and he has done a fabulous job. This is a tight course by anyone’s standard and you will now need to hit it long as well as straight.
The course begins and ends with testing par fives and in between there are many fine holes, especially pairs of long par fours at the 3rd and 4th on the front nine and the 15th and 16th on the back nine. The par threes are all outstanding and – surprisingly for a championship course – three of these four short holes are less than 160 yards off the back tees.
The Dutch Open returned to Hilversumsche in 2010 following a four-year stretch at Kennemer Golf & Country Club. Martin Kaymer claimed the 2010 title during a stellar year that culminated in the German being crowned Europe’s Number One after winning four European Tour titles and his first Major at the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
Sadly, the start of the 2011 Dutch Open at Hilversumsche Golf Club was delayed due to vandalism. In an act of wanton sacrilege, the greens on the 4th, 5th, 6th and 9th were dug up the night before the start of the event. However, the issues with the greens did not deter England’s Simon Dyson who won the title by one shot from compatriot David Lynn. This was Dyson’s third Dutch Open win and the result moved the Englishman into the world top 30 for the first time in his career. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | | One of the Grand Old Golf courses in Europe. The Hilversumsche has benifited from the three years that the Dutch Open was organised (2010-11-12). The greens are extremely fast, the fairways very undulated and each hole a pleasure.
Not a long course but playing it in Autumn is a very worth while experience! |
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| 29 October 2012
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| | Just five weeks ago was the first time I played here, and it was such a great experience that I rushed back today. The course was quite 'firm and fast' despite some rain earlier this week. The greens were the best I've played in all of The Netherlands. There were greenkeepers to be found all over the course, maintaining the course to the tiniest details. It was quite a busy day but still the tranquility was amazing. I shot a very nice 77 off the back tees and I nearly aced the 14th this time, as the ball stopped just 2 inches in front of the hole... The caddy master is also a very welcoming man as are the rest of the crew. I'll be back soon! MO |
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| 14 June 2012
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| | It took me three hours to get here by train, bus, and a half an hour walk so I was really hoping it was going to be worth the journey ( which could have been a lot shorter). I was expecting a lot from this place having seen the KLM Open on tv. It seemed the preparations have already started for this years tournament because the conditions were absolutely brilliant. The fairways were outstanding and the greens were beautifully kept. We played off the tips and we knew we were in for a test. The par 4 2nd measures 314 meters which plays longer because you can't hit a driver due to the very small opening to the green; and there are 4 par 4s that play 411, 413, 434 and 435 meters from the tips. Combine this with the tree lined fairways and you're going to need your A-game to score around this course. The famous par 3 14th of only 114 meters is also a joy to play. It has a big round flat greena nd 5 bunkers of which only one is visible from the tee! The par 3s as a set I think are among the best in the Netherlands. the fifth is a beautiful long par 3 that plays over heather into a punchbowl green (sort of) and the eighth is also a brilliant one shotter. If I had to choose between the four major heathland courses in the Netherlands De Pan, De Eindhovensche, De Rosendaelsche and this one De Hilversumsche I think except for the 2 easily reachable par 5s is the hardest test, and especially when the heather blooms I reckon also very esthetically pleasing. MO |
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| 05 May 2012
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| | Played Hilversum last month for the first time in 15 years and was very impressed. It’s very similar to a flattened Worplesdon, Woking or West Hill, indeed you could be forgiven for thinking you’re playing golf in Surrey. There are also shades of Royal Zoute here too. In terms of quality, Hilversum is nearly as good as any of the aforementioned courses but in terms of challenge I think it’s a fraction harder test than its English and Belgian look-alikes, mainly because it’s tighter (although less so than it was due to the Kyle Phillips tree clearing programme) and a little longer too from the new tees. My favourite holes are those near to the clubhouse and although Hilversum has only gentle changes in elevation it never appears particularly flat. Accuracy is key to getting round in a half decent score but you also need to have some length as there are numerous tight and long par fours on the card. Surprised to be the first to post a course review of this very good Dutch course. |
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| 07 September 2010
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| Response: | | | Peter Buist | 29 March 2011 | | How difficult is it to get a game at this club as a solo visitor? Do you have to know a member? Golf club rental? | | | Maarten | 30 March 2011 | | Not hard at all! The course is open for greenfeeers, at least from monday-friday. I wanted to play the Noordwijkse and The Haagsche that week as well, but that wasn't sucesfull. I could play whenever I wanted on the Hilversumsche. |
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