Haviksoord Golf Club

Haviksoord Golf Club lies near Leende, south of Eindhoven, on the edge of the Zevenhuizensche Heide. Its name is unusual: it comes from the aircraft factory that once stood here, roughly where the putting green is now.

The course

The first nine holes were laid out in 1976, partly on farmland and partly in woods planted for timber in the 1930s. The area also includes a lake dug around 1970 for sand used in the ramps of motorway bridges over the A2, with the topsoil piled into mounds around it. The extension to 18 holes followed in 2006. All the new holes went into existing woodland, and a few old holes were split. In both phases the existing landscape was used as much as possible, which gives the course a natural look. The 18 holes play to par 72 and 6,083 metres.

Greens on heathland soil

Almost the whole area was heath before 1930, which left the soil very acidic. That turns out to be ideal for greens: annual meadow grass, which you don't want in your greens, barely grows. The club follows the English model and pays particular attention to the quality of its bentgrass greens. Visitors and groups are welcome; book ahead by phone.