Dutch Diary 2023 - #2 - Utrechtse Golf Club 'de Pan' - Amersfoortseweg 1, 3735 LJ Bosch en Duin, Netherlands
0845 arrival & 1640 departure for golf would generally suggest some alcoholic beverages post round...not this time ... a course walk, course tour, 9 holes, extended coffee break and concluding 9 holes
Ermelo to Amersfoort
The journey from Ermelo to Amersfoort was easy and breezy up to the point that I had to negotiate central Amersfoort, my base for the first evening. Drama ensued, as I attempted to locate the parking facilities for my hotel.
Driving on the other side of the road is fine, until that is you have to negotiate bus lanes, traffic signs in another language and contra-flows….. despite a number of scenes, that wouldn’t have been out of place in a Keystone Cops movie, the correct entrance to the garage was safely located with all subsequent movement reserved solely and exclusively to perambulation.
I stayed at the NH Hotels property on Stationsstraat which is within easy walking distance from Amersfoort Train Station and indeed only a short 20 minute car journey to the second course on my golfing adventure - UGC ‘De Pan’.
Central Amersfoort reminded me of a smaller version of Amsterdam - cobbled squares, al fresco wining and dining… not to mention a smattering of canals. It is ideally located for any golfer requiring an overnight stay before heading to the serenity and seclusion that is Utrechtse GC.
Death Row Order
Those unfortunate enough to face the death penalty in the United States are ‘graciously’ granted a final meal of their choice. I trust that my final meal will be comparatively more liberty inducing, however, it will still be eaten as a morbidly rotund singer begins to clear their throat.
In consideration of a future terminal menu cadence, I can confirm that steak was likely to have been part of a consideration set. Until a culinary experience in Amersfoort, Argentinian steak had not appeared on my radar. As this is nominally a golf blog, however, I will sign off this particular cul-de sac by endeavouring to extoll the virtues of the Argentinian Steak Fajitas at El Ternero in Amersfoort - the meat was divine - pampas raised and aged beautifully - something similar will be available from a very good butcher, like Rick Higgins…. simply divine!
The ‘rush-hour’ drive to UGC from Amersfoort gradually morphs from residential streetscape to tree lined boulevards. The Bosch en Duin area offers seclusion and anonymity to both residents and golfers alike - it exudes a sense of serenity amongst the stately pines and deciduous interlopers.
The final turn into the clubs’ property was negotiated, passing the driving range I parked up my rental Renault Captur (Quashqai in drag) and headed to the proshop to introduce myself to the caddie master and begin what would become a somewhat freestyle and off the cuff immersion in club life at De Pan.
Thanks must be extended to everyone that I encountered over 8 hours at the club - the day was a collection of vignettes, each of which built upon the last - like any good recipe, the end product was more than the sum of its’ parts and the memories of those individual elements are more vivid today due to the richness of the individual encounters.
In my experience, all great golf clubs and courses tend to provide deeper meaning - perhaps even a sense of spirituality and a higher being - to those who linger with their eyes up - connectivity to place resonates through human driven restraint, exemplary custodianship and marginal detail, all underpinned by a supportive and inclusive culture where the bigger picture seems invariably to be top of mind.
I do not feel like I have the writing ability to express the virtues of De Pan, as I would like, therefore, rather than butcher this piece I have borrowed some words from Golf.com, included a few of my pictures below and attempted some final concluding observations.
You should also check out the video link below that The Cookie Jar podcast lovingly produced after a visit to De Pan in 2022 - pictures tell a thousand words and the video that the boys have produced is sublime.
Utrechtse De Pan - #95 in Golf Magazine/Golf.com's 2021 World Top 100 Listing Modern architecture did itself no favors pursuing holes that constantly scream at the golfer, because at some point the golfer goes tone deaf. Colt never went down that path and thus his courses enjoy timeless appeal. Here (at De Pan), he did what he did best: produce a course that is a delight to play every day. De Pan may not have the topography of St. George's Hill but it does have sand dunes throughout the property. A master router, Colt incorporated the dunes in every way possible. - words courtesy of Golf.com
Reflections on Utrechtse Golfclub DePan
A break between 9’s is a delightful thing to do, when you have the time to loll around on the terrace shooting the breeze with like minded members.
Traditional architecture and thatched roofs counterpoint very well with modern interiors.
Less is in fact more!
In order to know where you are going as a golf club, you need to understand where you’ve come from - this provides direction and consistency - it doesn’t mean you will not make mistakes, however, you will learn from them and ensure that they do not happen again.
Perpetuity and tenure are welcome bedfellows on any course committee - it takes time to understand those things that you don’t know….. do not assume - travel, read, experience, talk golf…..
After is always better!
Cookie Jar Visit
The lads from the Cookie Jar Podcast visited De Pan on their Dutch adventures in late Autumn 2022 - see their video below on youtube for a more autumnal vibe - give them a follow too on itunes/spotify or your preferred podcast platform, they are well worth a follow if you like quality golf content!
Many thanks for taking the time to read this post, if you are not already a subscriber, please feel free to sign up below. There are a number of additional pieces in the works covering Royal Hague, Kennemer, Noordwijk and Hilversum in addition to at least one podcast showcasing golf in the Netherlands.
If you missed the blogs on Initial Thoughts on Dutch Golf or the first in the Dutch Diary Series on The Links Valley, you can find it by clicking either of the preceeding linked elements.