Driving Forward: Looking back at the year with Leading Courses COO Jeroen Korving

• Name: Jeroen Korving
• HCP: 15.2
• Home course: Golfpark Soestduinen
• Equipment brand(s): Cleveland driver, Ping G425 Irons, Vokey wedges (60, 56 and 52 degrees) and a Yess! putter
• Favourite type of course: a combination of heathland/forest course 

My favourite golf course in 2022 - according to my reviews this year - was a course located quite close to home actually. I played De Pan with a few colleagues and a business partner from the UK on a sunny day in June and we had a blast. The course layout is great, the course is easy to walk and it’s located in a pristine forest without any noise of highways which is quite unique in The Netherlands. In my opinion, this is one of the best heathland/forest courses in the world.

In November I was invited by the Costa del Sol to play in the Pro-Am of the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De Espana (a Ladies European Tour tournament) at Villa Padierna. We played the Alferini course, which is quite a tight and difficult golf course. What made it memorable was the flight I was in. We had a very kind and friendly pro and my team members were also fun and outgoing. The chemistry between the team members was great, and we all played quite well which resulted in a lovely day.

The golf course itself, so the natural beauty and where it is located are pretty essential for me. Obviously, greens and tees have to be in good shape, but in my opinion, this should always be at a certain level. 

I don't really have a favourite player, but I loved seeing Tiger Woods make the cut at the Masters. Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry also come to mind. I also always enjoyed watching Phil Mickelson as well, but he lost my sympathy when he joined the LIV tour. 

Seeing Tiger Woods play again at The Masters and seeing him walk over the Swilcan Bridge at St Andrews where he realises it may have been his last Open championship on this course. I also enjoyed seeing him play with his son Charlie. 

I don’t have a curated list of golf courses I definitely need to play. But if I have to pick one or two for 2023, then the following courses are definitely on the list: Le Golf National and all the courses at Quinta do Lago. I played almost all other golf courses in the Algarve but strangely enough, I never managed to play any of the courses at Quinta do Lago.

Other courses that I would like to tick off my list are Ryder Cup venue Marco Simone, La Reserva Club Sotogrande, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande and Costa Navarino. Closer to home I would really like to play Goyer Golf & Country Club, De Kennemer and Domburgsche Golf Club in 2023.

I would love to say that I want to become a single-digit handicap golfer. But I would also be very satisfied to play my current handicap always. So, 2023 is about becoming a lot more consistent. I just bought a new set of irons (Ping G425), so can’t wait to play with them in 2023.