GHENT & OUDENARDE GOLF COURSES
The best Golf Clubs for golfbreaks in Belgian Flanders.
Royal Latem Architect: F. Hawtree (1909). 18 holes: 5,669m: par 72.
Just south of Ghent, the rather exclusive Royal Latem Golf Club is tucked away in the dense forest that covers the dry bits of Belgian Flanders - Vlandereen. A very private Golf Club with a tight and twisting course that will leave you wanting more. The course sports the full range of woodland hazards, i.e. deciduous and coniferous! It also features the occasional drop of water and two-or-three blind drives to boot: all-in-all, lots of fun. Uniquely, two generations of the Hawtree family were responsible for the current shape of play: first Fred then more recently Martin. The final touch of class is the rather smart, elegantly understated Clubhouse - just as one might expect.
Royal oudenaarde - Kasteel Architect: B. Baker (1976). 18 holes: 5,889m: par 71.
The centrepiece of Royal Oudenaarde is the magnificent chateau that dominates the surrounding forest and wetlands of northern Belgium. The Kasteel course starts directly in front of the chateau (across a bit of a lake!) and finishes right behind it. In between there lies a wonderful golf course through ancient forest and around one or two small water features. It is perfect woodland golfing amidst towering pines and oaks, across level terrain (no hills around here!), so a lovely stroll through the woods - even if your game lets you down! Regal Clubhouse awaits, to celebate your round in majestic style.
Royal oudenaarde - Anker Architect: B. Baker (1976). 18 holes: 6,056m: par 72.
The sister course at Royal Oudenaarde Golf Club and a very different aspect from its sibling. The Anker course occupies some of the ancient wetlands as well as the woodlands and the view out across the Vlaamse is one of low-level vegetation, rivers, lakes and ponds. The Anker course is a tighter proposition than the Kasteel, with some shorter holes playing into smaller Greens; it's a very good test of golf, suiting the strategic player more than the power player.
Waregem Architect: P. Rolin (1988). 18 holes: 5,911m: par 72.
Waregem Golf Club is more of a 'commercial' set-up than a private Golf Club; it encompasses a tennis centre and student-style accommodation making it a real sports centre for the denizens of Vlanders: all to be encouraged! The golf course itself is a fascinating combination of two rather distinct nines: the front nine is big and broad with long holes and wide Fairways stretching out slightly uphill from the Clubhouse; the back-nine is much more old-fashioned and intricate - shorter, tighter holes, a few cunningly-placed water hazards and the quirk of a Double-Green to boot! A genuine 'game of two-halves' that is sure to appeal to all golfers. Modern Clubhouse looks a little utilitarian but very friendly staff will make you most welcome.