I’d played the Tom Simpson course at Royal Antwerp before during a media trip four years ago so I pretty much knew what was in store when I teed it up here – of course, I told my two playing partners in advance what to expect and on exiting the 18th green they both agreed that I’d not over exaggerated just how good this layout was.

The topography’s rather flat but at least that makes for an easy walk in the woods! Even more trees have been removed since I was last here and it’s now such a joy to be able to catch little glimpses of other holes when on a particular fairway and to have green sites and teeing areas cleared of the arboreal clutter that once stifled the agronomy.

It was also a big surprise to discover the head greenkeeper is originally from near me in the Glasgow area and he worked at Royal Ostend before moving a while back to Royal Antwerp. For sure, the club is lucky to have such a switched-on Scotsman looking after its conditioning, exemplified in lovely little detailing aspects like the firm and fast green approaches.

My favourite stretch is on the back nine, starting at the left doglegging par four 13th, continuing with brilliant back-to-back par fives at 14 and 15 then ending at the wonderful par four 17th with its centreline bunker on a little ridge protecting a narrow green that falls away from front to back – it’s one of my favourite par four holes anywhere.

I know I’m not alone in extolling the virtues of Royal Antwerp but it really is such a success story that deserves full recognition for the club having the will to restore the course back to its original design intent. There are one or two other classic Simpson courses in Belgium that might yet benefit from such an undertaking. One can but hope that other clubs are taking note…

Jim McCann