Rosendaelsche

Rosendaelsche Golf Club is one of the oldest clubs in the Netherlands (formed in 1895) and its members originally played between the Rosendael manor and the Velpse Geërfden grounds in the neighbourhood of Emma-piramide. In 1908, the club moved to Arnhem but, despite the relocation, the name of Rosendaelsche Golf Club was retained.

The landowner was Mr A.A. Delcourt van Krimpen and his course was described in 1939 as being laid out “on beautifully undulating terrain with high rising trees and soft green fairways.” It is indeed a wonderful woodland setting within Valkenhuizen Forest, on the fringe of the De Hoge Veluwe National Park.

English architect Frank Pennink extended the course in the mid-70s to an 18-hole layout, a few years before the new clubhouse was built. Shortly after that, Bernard Langer established a course record that still stands on his way to winning the Dutch Open in 1984.

The club motto of ‘qui va adroit ne manque’ translates to English as “who goes straight doesn’t miss” – very appropriate for a course where beech, birch and pine tree-lined fairways have to be negotiated from start to finish!

Rosendaelsche is heathland golf at its very best, played over gently undulating forested terrain with heather-clad ridges creating the odd semi-blind tee shot or approach shot. The holes seem to get stronger as the round progresses, particularly so between the long, tight, par four 14th and the downhill, par three 16th.