Martins Patershof Dining Altar Martins Paterhof Hotel Suite
are several ports dotted along the coastline but
Zeebrugge, which is the main ‘roll on - roll off’ port
in Europe where thousands of cars, trucks and
military vehicles get loaded on the constant stream
of arriving and departing ferries. North of the port,
the coastal resort town of Knokke houses one of
Belgium’s best courses. If you want style and class,
Knokke is the place but be prepared to fork out for
food and drink as it is the playground of Belgium’s
rich and famous. The Royal Zoute Golf Club hosted
many of the Belgian Opens with Westwood
taking he last one back in 2000. It was frequently
heralded by the likes of Faldo and Seve as one of
the best courses on tour and is going through an
upgrading phase to bring it in line with modern
technology. Nearby is the Damme Golf & Country
Club, one of the many thriving members’ clubs with
18 Championship holes and a modern President’s
9 which is equally as enjoyable to play. Of course,
the nearby and slightly inland city of Bruges is one
of Flanders’ most visited sites with the Unesco
Heritage medieval centre attracting visitors from
all over the world. It is touristy, it is busy, it is not
cheap but very much worth the visit. ... half a copy … only in Belgium! Again, Leuven is a
good base to go and play Winge Golf, an undulating
course around the Winge manor house with
majestic trees and sloping fairways the main feature.
Did you know that the university of Leuven was
found in 1425. We’re now heading east- wards and
Leuven is Belgium’s main university town. It is also
home to Stella Artois and the two combined means
there is no shortage of cafe’s and bars. Back in the
day, cities were enemies of each other and Leuven
decided to build a copy of the Brussels city hall but
eventually ran out of money and ended up with Landmark Hotels …
Nearby’s Millennium Golf, founded in 2000 and
designed by Bruno Steensels has recently embarked
on a new chapter under new ownership with the
participation of the Pieters family. This is one of
Belgium’s true modern championship courses. It’s
long and wide or short and tight, it has water and
lots of it and bunkers, plenty of them. Built in a
‘mixed recreation area’ which means you will see
cyclists, walkers, bodyboarders, sailing classes,
swimming, canoeing and other activities in and
around the golf complex. It’s all cleverly designed
and gives a sense of activity and sportiveness, which
is invigorating to see.
The sandy soil in Limburg is a course architect’s
dream with both Spiegelven (Ron Kirby) and Royal
Limburg (Fred Hawtree, father of Martin) laid out on
the fast draining soil. Both courses feature heather
and pine tree lined fairways and require precision
with tee shots.
While in Leuven, stay in the Martin’s ‘Klooster
Hotel’, right in the city centre but with parking
on site. This historic property has been cleverly
restored and extended. The historic part offers
rooms in the quarters of Guy Morillon, Emperor
Charles V’s secretary. Years later, it became an
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