Some have confused Lombartzyde GC with Royal Ostend presumably because they were near neighbours and founded a few years apart. Both courses were decimated during WWI as this was an area which saw heavy fighting throughout the Battle of Flanders campaigns. Lombartzyde disappeared forever in the run-up to WWII. The Belgian army took over the site and the course was never reinstated. This may be one of the biggest golf related losses due to war because some thought (including Bernard Darwin) this was certainly one of the best courses in continental Europe.
German soldiers training circa 1943-44.
A few miles north of what was Lombartzyde lies Royal Ostend GC. King Leopold II established the club as a way to attract British visitors to Ostend. The town became popular in the mid to late 19th century due to the royal family holidaying on the massive beach. The town became known as “the queen of Belgian of Belgian seaside resorts”. Consequently, grand buildings and homes were built. In 1903 King Leopold II selected the site and son of North Berwick, Seymour Dunn completed a design ready for play in 1903. The original concept was to create the grand Royal Golf Club de Belgique using Royal Ostend and the course at Ravenstein Estate near Brussels. Seymour Dunn also designed courses for King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Phillipe de Rothschild. Some called Dunn the rather ostentatious “architect of kings”. Dunn also made a significant mark in the US as a club maker, golf instructor, course builder and golf pro at clubs such as Van Cortlandt Park and Wykagyl.
King Leopold II may have chosen a sandy links site, but even then, the course was chopped up by roads, one of which would become a major thoroughfare, the N34. These same roads plague the course today resulting in four sections: 1-4, 17 & 18 near the house, 5-10 along the duneline behind the beach, 11-14 on the town side of the N34 and 15 & 16 isolated in a tree lined area. The course was badly damaged during two wars and the house destroyed by fire and war more than once. Yet, Royal Ostend remains, on the same site, albeit using a very different routing. This is partly due to work by M Hawtree circa 1990. In addition, five greens were replaced in 2006; 7, 8, 10 16 & 17. Consequently, much of the course feels modern.
The opening four holes cover flat land are ok, but don't really set the tone one hopes for. That said, the opener turns so far left that its a stumper on the tee. Most will layup.
The entrance is narrow which is important...Royal Ostend was at least as keen as Domburg. Below is a look from the right side of the green.
A short par 5, the 2nd is gettable, but there is boundary trouble on the right. The short 3rd feels a bit hemmed in. The hole is long, but not terribly interesting. Below is a look maybe 50 yards short of the green.
Another short two-shotter, the 4th gets the job done with a decent green.
More to follow.
Ciao