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Sean_A

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EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-15
« on: September 19, 2024, 08:43:44 AM »
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
« Last Edit: Yesterday at 07:03:06 AM by Sean_A »
New plays planned for 2024:Winterfield & Alnmouth,

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-3
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2024, 08:10:59 AM »
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
« Last Edit: September 25, 2024, 02:39:07 AM by Sean_A »
New plays planned for 2024:Winterfield & Alnmouth,

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-8
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2024, 02:05:35 PM »
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
« Last Edit: September 25, 2024, 02:40:37 AM by Sean_A »
New plays planned for 2024:Winterfield & Alnmouth,

David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-10
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2024, 02:29:09 PM »
Sean -

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


DT

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-10
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2024, 02:41:35 AM »
Sean -

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


DT


I asked and was told an old club pro?


Ciao
New plays planned for 2024:Winterfield & Alnmouth,

Enno Gerdes

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-10
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2024, 06:35:28 AM »
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

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-10
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2024, 07:06:14 AM »
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

New plays planned for 2024:Winterfield & Alnmouth,

Mike_Clayton

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-12
« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2024, 05:35:50 PM »
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

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-12
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2024, 05:38:16 PM »
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

Tom Mills

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-12
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2024, 05:40:09 PM »
and I know the picture is Vardon, very disappointed in myself!
Tom Mills

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-12
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2024, 11:10:34 AM »
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
New plays planned for 2024:Winterfield & Alnmouth,

Mike_Clayton

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-12
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2024, 06:37:22 PM »
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

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-12
« Reply #12 on: Yesterday at 07:02:55 AM »
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 of 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 arch of the fairway.


More to follow.

Ciao
« Last Edit: Yesterday at 07:04:36 AM by Sean_A »
New plays planned for 2024:Winterfield & Alnmouth,

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: EINDHOVEN GOLF - Benelux Tour 2024 1-15
« Reply #13 on: Today at 04:27:52 AM »
Thanks for this tour Sean. Looks interesting but from the photos some of the bunkering appears rather bland.
Atb

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