Leonard review of Golfclub Gaasterland

Gaasterland is a course that I discovered late, I have played almost every course in The Netherlands but probably because it's 9 holes and a little over 1,5 hours from Utrecht where I live I overlooked it. When I visited it 2 weeks ago to check the site where 6 new par 3 holes are being planned I was pleasantly surprised by this hospitable 9 hole course. The reception by the on-duty marshal was very friendly and I was offered a coffee and a lengthly explanation of the clubs history. The clubhouse is ran by people with some distance to the labor market (thats how people with a mental disability are sometimes described in The Netherlands) and they where very warm and friendly as well. The course goes around a protected bio-area and this course was also one of the first that met all the GEO standards (maybe even from the start). The designer is Alan Rijks who made it not super long but quite technical. Most tee-shots don't require a driver unless you know what you are doing. The holes that jumps out for me was the par three 2nd a nice shot over some water with an exiting green, the par three 4th beautiful between two big trees and the par four 5th with a long waste area on the left side... On the latter you have to know how long your drive is to set it up properly. Watch for the tricky par five 6th with two ditches. Lunch; a nice farmers omelet with freshly pressed orange juice excellent and only for € 8,- probably the best price quality on a golf course in The Netherlands.. so if you have time and even if it is not in the neighbourhood go there and pick up a nice Sûkerbôle at the bakery on your way back. It's a bread baked with loads of lumps of sugar. It doesn't sound that great as I describe it but trust me with some nice butter it's heaven.

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