Earnest EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024

[Sean_A]

A few miles south of Eindhoven is one of Dr Anton Philips’ grand gestures; Eindhoven Golf. Anton Philips was the brother of Gerard, founder of Philips. At the age of 20 Anton was called from London (he worked on the stock exchange) to help his brother manage the fledgling company. Anton took it upon himself to create a market for the newly developed light bulb. He was a driving force in transforming a light bulb company into a global electrical engineering company which was now selling radios and x-ray machines while being the Netherlands largest public employer. By 1932 1,000,000 radios were sold!

Philips was a progressive company for the times and were keen to promote mental physical wellbeing for their employees and Eindhoven in general. A 25-acre park was donated to the city in 1920. In 1921 Anton set up the Philips-de-Jongh Recreational Fund to provide many types of recreation. Two projects carry famous international legacies. First, the creation PSV Eindhoven (Philips Sport Vereniging) in 1913. Second, the creation of Eindhoven Golf in a large wooded tract of land. Anton Philips apparently enjoyed golf and would have known of HS Colt. Although it isn’t clear if Anton was directly involved in hiring Colt. Yet Colt was hired and by 1930 a new course was ready for play. Eindhoven is laid out in two large clockwise loops each of which returns to the handsome house. A centre piece of the course is a lake which is never in play…not unusual for Colt. The site can fairly be called heathland and plays through mature trees, pines and over mildly undulating, sandy terrain; perfect for quality golf.
 
It seems many classic Dutch courses suffered during the world wars, especially WWII. Eindhoven was one such course occupied by the Germans. The present 16th was used for storing planes and the 17th was a runway. Since 2003 Frank Pont has been consulting at Eindhoven, originally to offer his opinion regarding the redesign of the 16th. Extensive bunker work, improved mowing lines and a new irrigation system were major elements of the eventual renovation. I presume trees have come down, but despite most playing lines not being affected, many hundreds if not thousands more could be removed to open the course up somewhat. 

Straight off, there is the unmistakable sense of heathland. A rather staid opener, the 1st is a straight three-shotter over some of the more rolling terrain at Eindhoven...the approach is blind for mere mortals.


A short par 4, the second is interesting.




At over 200 yards, the short 3rd is bunkerless.


The rough looks more brutal than it is. I think many balls end up right of the sloping green.


More to follow.

Ciao

[Sean_A]

Eindhoven Tour Cont

A bit strange looking from the tee, the 4th is a par 5 whose approach is quite similar to the 2nd.




I made the mistake of playing too far back because that is what the crowd wanted. Unfortunately, it meant that a great green like the 5th was approached with a wood….not a good plan.


I am not convinced the bunker is necessary, but it sure creates issues!


Behind the volcano green.




A tough hole, the 6th green is a bit sunken.


Many of the bunkers are uninspired. 




My goodness isn't seven a brutish par 4? I don't recall the yardage, but it must be at least 450 yards. Big hitters can beat one over the hill making the approach far easier. 


The terrain around the driving zone is oustanding. I would discover that on many holes during this trip. The green is on high land fiendishly defended.




A forthright hole, the short eight is more than satisfactory.


More to follow.

Ciao

[Sean_A]

Eindhoven Tour Cont

Playing over rumbling land, the long 9th isn't a bad par 5.




Like the front nine, the back nine plays in a clockwise loop. The 10th is a punishing two-shotter. Another simple and potent crowned green. 


More to follow.

Ciao

[David_Tepper]

Sean -

Who is the statue behind the 9th green? HS Colt?


DT

[Sean_A]

Sean -

Who is the statue behind the 9th green? HS Colt?


DT

I asked and was told an old club pro?


Ciao

[Enno Gerdes]

Sean -

Who is the statue behind the 9th green? HS Colt?


DT

I asked and was told an old club pro?


Ciao

I think this is incorrect. I read that it is a statue of a (generic) caddy from the 30's. The statue was put in place celebrating the club's 65th anniversary in 1995.

[Sean_A]

Sean -

Who is the statue behind the 9th green? HS Colt?

DT

I asked and was told an old club pro?

Ciao

I think this is incorrect. I read that it is a statue of a (generic) caddy from the 30's. The statue was put in place celebrating the club's 65th anniversary in 1995.

Thank you Enno

Eindhoven Tour Cont

The club feels the 11th has the Redanish about it, but the green isn't up to it. Its a good hole nonetheless.




Another meaty par 4, the 12th moves just a hair around what is effectively a centreline bunker. Similar to many clubs, Eindhoven suffered an unusually high amount of rain this year and it shows here and there. The raised and slightly domed green is not unlike the 10th.


More to follow.

Ciao

[Mike_Clayton]

11 is such a disappointing hole relative to what it could be.
With not so much work it's a top 5 course on the continent.

[Tom Mills]

Not to hijack one of Sean's great pieces but here is a piece from a few years back


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKV11Ui2a1Y

[Tom Mills]

and I know the picture is Vardon, very disappointed in myself!

[Sean_A]

11 is such a disappointing hole relative to what it could be.
With not so much work it's a top 5 course on the continent.

The 11th certainly isn’t overly attractive. What would you do to it?


Ciao

[Mike_Clayton]

11 is such a disappointing hole relative to what it could be.
With not so much work it's a top 5 course on the continent.

The 11th certainly isn’t overly attractive. What would you do to it?


Ciao

I thought with better bunkering it would look much better - and be a more interesting shot to hit. One of the best things about the Melbourne Sandbelt is the quality of the mid-length par 3s and this one misses in comparison. But it's not far off.
And bringing the front of the green at 3 forward would add extra pins and make it an even better hole.
The dune surrounded green is a lot like the new 14th at Seven Mile Beach in Hobart.

[Sean_A]

11 is such a disappointing hole relative to what it could be.
With not so much work it's a top 5 course on the continent.

The 11th certainly isn’t overly attractive. What would you do to it?

Ciao

I thought with better bunkering it would look much better - and be a more interesting shot to hit. One of the best things about the Melbourne Sandbelt is the quality of the mid-length par 3s and this one misses in comparison. But it's not far off.
And bringing the front of the green at 3 forward would add extra pins and make it an even better hole.
The dune surrounded green is a lot like the new 14th at Seven Mile Beach in Hobart.

Mike

I am not impressed with the bunkering in general.

Eindhoven Tour Cont

Moving a bit left, the 13th fairway is cut off by bunkers and rough. It is more of a visual issue or for those who hit a poor drive because the area is out of reach off the tee. 




A subtle hole, the 14th legs left as the terrain moves a bit right.


Part of the green is slightly tucked around the trees.


There is an awkward walk back to 15 tee to match the awkward tee shot. The drive is highly prescribed with only the left half of the fairway being a viable target for most golfers....the carry is of some distance as well. 


This par 5 is more of a semi-circle than a dogleg. The hole seems to arch around trees. There is a mess of sand to cope with for the difficult second shot.


The diagonal green with fall-aways sets the hole up well to maintain the challenge until pulling the ball from the hole.  Behind the green makes it easier to see the graceful arc of the fairway.


More to follow.

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

Thanks for this tour Sean. Looks interesting but from the photos some of the bunkering appears rather bland.
Atb

[Sean_A]

WW

Yer welcome.

Eindhoven tour cont

A straight-forward short hole, the best aspect of 16 is the view across the pond to the house.


The 17th green is the action for this hole. It runs to the right so its very possible to work a low shot around the bunker to back right hole locations.


A cracking finisher, the home hole plays a bit downhill over centreline bunkers for the approach.




The right side of the fairway is clearly the better approach angle.


The house is very cool...like all the houses I experienced on this tour. Can I expect anything less when the shelters on the course are built to high spec?






My first experience of inland Netherlands golf did not disappoint. The terrain moves well without ever being a slog and more importantly, the routing takes advantage of the terrain. The highlight holes for me are  2, 5, 7 and 18...all excellent holes that could comfortably be included on most any top course in the world. There are still issues with trees in that many fairways had shadows cast over them. Perhaps more pressing in the short term is the lackluster bunkering. In a heathland setting bunkers have the ability to introduce attractive added texture to the course. I am not convinced the current aesthetics do this as well as could be. There are also some bunkers which simply don't look right in their locations. These are relatively minor quibbles given the layout of the course.  I would like a return trip at some point! 1*  2024

I must thank my host, DP, for showing us around. His knowledge and passion for the course are obvious and infectious.


Previous stops on the tour

Domburg
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,73225.0.html

Future stops on the tour

Utrecht de Pan
Hilversum
Kennemer
Royal Ostend

Ciao

[Tony_Muldoon]

I knew little of Golf in Benelux prior to this visit, but I was mightily impressed by Eindhoven. 
The terrain here was wonderfully rolling and the greens have a real character of their own. Large and typically with one edge or cornerhigher than the rest and the slopes flowed from there.  Nothing obvious or counter to the surrounding land, but full of interest - a most enjoyable set.

With not so much work it's a top 5 course on the continent.

EDITED.


There's not much to read up in advance but the old Peugeot guide had it as one of 4 courses in The Netherlands that scored 18.  I think it WOULD rate very highly if it was in Surrey or Berkshire, a great Heathland Course.   They seem intent on taking out alien trees, you know the kind; overlaid, overfed, over "fertile" and over there.  Good luck in bringing the course back to its orgianal intention. I hope to return in a few years to see the results.

Every so often on here someone will express an interest in doing a London Heathlands trip.  I can understand that because part of the apeeal is to play courses we've read so much about.   
But the Dutch Heathland courses offer a fantastic alternative to this, the Quality is there and the prices seem much keener than near London.  And Holland is a great place to visit.  This trip should be on more agenda's.

[Thomas Dai]

I knew little of Golf in Benelux prior to this visit, but I was mightily impressed by Eindhoven. 
The terrain here was wonderfully rolling and the greens have a real character of their own. Large and typically with one edge or cornerhigher than the rest and the slopes flowed from there.  Nothing obvious or counter to the surrounding land, but full of interest - a most enjoyable set.

With not so much work it's a top 5 course on the continent.

EDITED.
There's not much to read up in advance but the old Peugeot guide had it as one of 4 courses in The Netherlands that scored 18.  I think it WOULD rate very highly if it was in Surrey or Berkshire, a great Heathland Course.   They seem intent on taking out alien trees, you know the kind; overlaid, overfed, over "fertile" and over there.  Good luck in bringing the course back to its orgianal intention. I hope to return in a few years to see the results.
Every so often on here someone will express an interest in doing a London Heathlands trip.  I can understand that because part of the apeeal is to play courses we've read so much about.   
But the Dutch Heathland courses offer a fantastic alternative to this, the Quality is there and the prices seem much keener than near London.  And Holland is a great place to visit.  This trip should be on more agenda's.

Perhaps it should be a separate thread … ? ….. but which U.K. heathland courses would be at a level comparable with the heathland Netherlands courses Sean has been profiling recently?


Bit of a benchmark type expertise … UK heathland ‘X’ would be same level or superior/lessor or a lot superior/lot lessor than heathland course ‘Y’ in the Netherlands?


Curious from a gauging and point of reference basis.


Atb

[Sean_A]

I knew little of Golf in Benelux prior to this visit, but I was mightily impressed by Eindhoven. 
The terrain here was wonderfully rolling and the greens have a real character of their own. Large and typically with one edge or cornerhigher than the rest and the slopes flowed from there.  Nothing obvious or counter to the surrounding land, but full of interest - a most enjoyable set.

With not so much work it's a top 5 course on the continent.

EDITED.
There's not much to read up in advance but the old Peugeot guide had it as one of 4 courses in The Netherlands that scored 18.  I think it WOULD rate very highly if it was in Surrey or Berkshire, a great Heathland Course.   They seem intent on taking out alien trees, you know the kind; overlaid, overfed, over "fertile" and over there.  Good luck in bringing the course back to its orgianal intention. I hope to return in a few years to see the results.
Every so often on here someone will express an interest in doing a London Heathlands trip.  I can understand that because part of the apeeal is to play courses we've read so much about.   
But the Dutch Heathland courses offer a fantastic alternative to this, the Quality is there and the prices seem much keener than near London.  And Holland is a great place to visit.  This trip should be on more agenda's.

Perhaps it should be a separate thread … ? ….. but which U.K. heathland courses would be at a level comparable with the heathland Netherlands courses Sean has been profiling recently?

Bit of a benchmark type expertise … UK heathland ‘X’ would be same level or superior/lessor or a lot superior/lot lessor than heathland course ‘Y’ in the Netherlands?

Curious from a gauging and point of reference basis.

Atb

WW

For me Eindhoven would be on the edge top 10 Londonish heathlands. Probably on par with Worplesdon and Blackmoor....better than the Berkshires, Liphook and Hankley Common.. not quite as good as Addington, Sunny New, St Georges Hill or Walton Heath Old. I think clearly short of Woking, Pulborough, Swinley and Sunny Old. Put it this way...pretty damn good!

Ciao

[Tony_Muldoon]

WW

For me Eindhoven would be on the edge top 10 Londonish heathlands. Probably on par with Worplesdon and Blackmoor....better than the Berkshires, Liphook and Hankley Common.. not quite as good as Addington, Sunny New, St Georges Hill or Walton Heath Old. I think clearly short of Woking, Pulborough, Swinley and Sunny Old. Put it this way...pretty damn good!

Ciao

Pretty much agreed, yet it could be better still and it will be interesting to see how they take it forward.

I like the comparison with the Addington, it may not be as tought but the large greens and fairway movement seem comparable.  The Addington has ambition to rise to the top and the management structure to see it through. It's a tough world and it seems like if you're not activiely improving you're falling back. The times they are a changin'.

[Sean_A]

WW

For me Eindhoven would be on the edge top 10 Londonish heathlands. Probably on par with Worplesdon and Blackmoor....better than the Berkshires, Liphook and Hankley Common.. not quite as good as Addington, Sunny New, St Georges Hill or Walton Heath Old. I think clearly short of Woking, Pulborough, Swinley and Sunny Old. Put it this way...pretty damn good!

Ciao

Pretty much agreed, yet it could be better still and it will be interesting to see how they take it forward.

I like the comparison with the Addington, it may not be as tought but the large greens and fairway movement seem comparable.  The Addington has ambition to rise to the top and the management structure to see it through. It's a tough world and it seems like if you're not activiely improving you're falling back. The times they are a changin'.

I agree, Eindhoven could be well improved with a ruthless long term tree plan and a rethink of the bunkers. The Netherlands courses seem to be on the never ending Blackwell Timeline.

Ciao