The second edition of the Dutch Open was again played on the historic, private, family owned golf course – The Ullerberg – on a gloriously sunny day. The competitors played in three divisions for the Waller trophy, a beautiful silver cup presented by the Waller family, who built and have owned the course since 1923.
The course is unique in the world. The playing surfaces are shortly mown heather with only the tees, greens and aprons being grass; the rough is thick unyielding heather that must be avoided at all costs.
Virtually unchanged since it was laid out by Dutch architect and former Dutch Open winner Gerry del Court van Krimpen, the course still has classic cross bunkers that are real hazards, unraked and rough looking (see photo); small greens and grass/heather bunkers close to the greens. To sum up, a perfect location for hickory golf. The course is set in beautiful woodland area that is dissected by heather fields. The area is a wildlife haven with deer and thousands of wild boar roaming over the course (only at night!). Just like at the KLM open when vandals damaged four greens the night before the championship, the Ullerberg was also the target of a “vandals” – a wild boar that had learned to jump the electric fence that protects the greens. The damage to the double green of the first and the ninth was repaired and a local rule allowing circling solved the problem.
Under perfect weather conditions the competitors got a completely new understanding of just course how good the players at the turn of the century must have been on courses that were not manicured, as they are today. The greens had been specially prepared for the Championship but were still only running at about between 3 and 4 on the stimp meter. The championship was organised by the Waller family and by Iain Forrester (hickoryclubs.eu) and was supported by several sponsors: Shiraz partners together with Duchell (equipment) and Ullerberg Hiedegolf. It was their involvement that helped to make the championship possible.
The heather fairways were not too difficult to play from, the sharp leading edges of many hickory irons were ideal to cut through it. Straight hitting was at a premium, just as in the early days of golf. Balls were very easily lost in the high heather, and the championship rules of stroke, rather than stroke and distance softened the pain of losing a ball, slightly.
A large group of volunteers (from a local Lions club) made the organisation run smoothly and a large group of spectators added atmosphere to the day.
The field was comprised of experienced hickory players and hickory novices from throughout the world – Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Croatia, France, Scotland and Australia.
Swede Michael Eden won the handicap section; from Germany, Sabine Oelmann won the ladies section with an excellent gross 90. Perry Somers from Australia defended his men’s title successfully with an fine 77.
The International Dutch Hickory Championship is going from strength to strength. The third edition will take place on Sept. 22, 2012. Hickory on the heather at the Ullerberg should definitely go on your MUST DO list.
More information can be found at www.ullerberg.nl and at www.hickoryclubs.eu.
The photo gallery clearly shows the thick heather fairway and the thick greens. Iain Forrester is shown standing on the green. Sabine Oelmann and Perry Somers are shown with the trophy.
FULL RESULTS
Men’s Open
1. Perry Somers, Aus.
2. Iain Forrester, Scot
3. Davey Van Mulken, NL
Ladies Open
1. Sabine Oelmann
2. Britta Nord, Swed
3. Annie Altmann, NL
Handicap
1. Michael Eden Swed