Golfbaan Dirkshorn

Golfbaan Dirkshorn lies along the N245 between Alkmaar and Schagen, on 55 hectares in the north of North Holland. It grew out of a local initiative in the former municipality of Harenkarspel. In the early 2000s golf courses had long waiting lists, and in 2002 the first steps were taken towards a course that would be open all year.

The course

The landscape and golf course architect Alan Rijks designed the 18-hole par 72 championship course. The club calls it a polder and meadow course; some describe it as an inland links. Rijks took account of the area's cultural history and brought out two landscape themes: the characteristic openness of the polder and the old, valuable structure of the land. The course has tight fairways, quick greens and good drainage.

Nature

Dirkshorn has held the GEO eco-label since 2011. A bat cellar has been built by holes 1 and 2, and there are two toad ponds, one between holes 3 and 12 and one beside the 14th. A bird protection zone keeps the breeding area quiet. After your round you can eat at Restaurant Green, whose seasonal menu changes every month.