The International

The International is proof that you can build drama in the flattest country in Europe. The course lies on a former sand-extraction pit of about 77 hectares, just north-east of Schiphol, and the shaping gives it elevation changes of up to 14 metres. By Dutch standards that is a mountain range.

Built, not found

This is an inland, man-made course with a links character: rolling fairways, blind shots, large and heavily contoured greens, and water on many holes. It was designed by Ian Woosnam, the 1991 Masters champion and a former world number one, together with Mastergolf, and the club calls it the first course in the Netherlands designed by a major winner. An ecological corridor of about 25 hectares runs along the north and east sides of the site.

The hole most people remember is the par-5 3rd, with a large pond in front of the green and a lone willow standing before the water. The finish has a view to match: from the back tee of the 18th, 14 metres up, you see both the Zuidas business district of Amsterdam and Schiphol. The clubhouse, designed by Francine Houben of Mecanoo with interiors by Piet Boon, was completed in March 2013.

Tour venue

Sergio García won the KLM Open here in 2019, and the tournament came back every year from 2024 to 2026. In 2027 it moves to Kennemer in Zandvoort. Before that, the course hosted three editions of the Dutch Ladies Open (2013 to 2015) and two Dutch Senior Opens, the second of which, in 2014, was won by Woosnam himself.

Getting a game

The International is a private members' club and does not sell green fees. The way in is an invitation from a member, or a company golf day: the club rents out all or part of the course to businesses, which it describes as the way for guests to play a course they otherwise cannot get onto.