For the record I really love the top 5 courses in NL but for me Noordwijkse is by far the best and the course that I held out for for years to become a member of when I knew them all. The two other courses that have grown on me the most over the years are Kennemer (KLM Open routing) and De Pan. If I could ever be a member of another course in NL it would be De Pan. It's not that far from my home for one but secondly it is architecturally one of the best in NL for sure and being a member of a great heathland and a great links would be my ultimate golf dream!
David
Don't believe everything David says about Noordwijkse
Most of the archies I have shown it have characterised it as a missed chance. Its in great terrain for sure, but in my view the routing is not very strong, three of the par 3's are average to poor (to be fair the fourth par 3 ( the 17th) is world class) and the greens lack variety ( all false fronts). It is still a very good course, but in my opinion not nearly as good as Royal Hague ( if you do not believe me read what Ran, Mike Clayton and Adam Lawrence had to say about it) . Most of the love it gets in Holland is from good players because its tough, in the last Dutch polls it was been trading the first spot with R Hague on and off, with Kennemer as a distant third and Pan as a close fourth.
It will be interesting to see what the BUDA participants think of all these courses!
Ha ha, I'm tempted to enter this debate but I will refrain as I want the gentlemen to come up with their own unbiased opinions. However, you better go back and read what Mr. Doak wrote about my photo tour on NGC. It suggests something slightly different than the highly negative light you've painted above. As for Mr. Clayton and Mr. Lawrence I've heard no negative comments yet but I'm happy to entertain them all with an open mind as long as it's as we say straight from the horses mouthes.
I will say that if you find NGC's par 3's to be average to poor then you should get out and play some more top courses and come back and visit again as that's not an argument you can win and I don't buy that anyone or archie will agree with that statement. There can always be improvements but average to poor...no chance.
Also you should clearly state that you have been personally working on renovations at all the courses except Noordwijkse which slightly further taints your objectivity. ;-)
We shall see what the treehouse thinks and have some fun debates.
David,
Not negative on Noordwijk, as I stated in my earlier mail I think it is a very good course, just wanted to indicate that the course has weaknesses after your frequent postings here that it is by far the best course in Holland. On that point I politely disagree, and give the reasons why. You might not agree, that is OK, and why you are a happy member at Noordwijk.
With regard to Ran, Adam and Mike I was talking about them liking R Hague very much rather than disliking Noordwijk, with Adam and Mike stating on numerous occaisions that R Hague is their top pick in Europe with Morfontaine. Ran put it in his world top 50. I do not know what they think about Noordwijk, but I guess they do not rank it higher than R Hague.
On me working on R Hague, I thought that is common knowledge, but for those not aware of that I have been involved with the green, bunker and tee renovation works at Royal Hague, with the exception of green 18. I have also been working at De Pan, Eindhoven, Toxandria, De Dommel, Amsterdam Old, Kennemer (until 2012) all Colt, and Hoge Kleij, Gelpenberg, Edese ( all Pennink). I have never worked on Noordwijk and Hilversum, where Martin Ebert and Kyle Philips are resident archies.
Like yourself I am very much looking forward to meeting all the BUDA participants and getting feedback on the courses being played!