European Senior Tour goes Dutch
With Frenchman Romain Wattel’s champagne celebration still lingering in the morning dew after the KLM Open, The Dutch golf course plays host to another important tournament in Spijk this week: ‘The Dutch Masters’. Today 54 players from the European Senior Tour tee-off in the first round of the 54-hole event (6-8 October). Formerly known as the Dutch Senior Open, and before that the Van Lanschot Senior Open, it was in October 2014 that the tournament was last played. Ryder Cup legend Ian Woosnam won that year at The International in Amsterdam. Alas, the Welshman is not defending his title this week in Spijk, but there are enough other Ryder Cup heroes competing to whet the appetite.
In search of Ryder Cup glory days
The star attraction at The Dutch is former Ryder Cup player and European Team captain, Paul McGinley from Ireland. The 51-year old is just old enough to play on the Seniors Tour which is specially for golf pros aged 50 and above. He brings a wealth of experience with him including four titles on the main Tour. Other former Ryder Cup players due in Spijk this week include Gordon Brand Junior (Scotland), Costantino Rocca (Italy), and Barry Lane (England). And there are players like Gary Wolstenholme competing too. The Englishman was one of the best British Amateur players in history before he decided to swap careers and join the paid ranks as a professional golfer at the age of 48.
The English trio of (from left to right) George Ryall, Philip Golding and David J. Russell who were runner-up to Ian Woosnam in the last Dutch Senior Open.
Dunhill Links format at The Dutch
With rain and gale force winds forecast for the opening day, the course will be playing its full length of 6522 metres from the gold tees (6023 metres, white) and more. It will be tough for the amateurs playing alongside the professionals on Friday and Saturday. However, that is the joy of the ‘Dunhill Links’ competition format. It is basically a stroke-play team event played over 36 holes in a four-ball better-ball format. A number of lucky amateurs, invited to play by sponsors and partners, partner the pros as a team, each amateur receiving 3/4 handicap allowance. Unlike the main European Tour, there is no halfway cut in this event which means that on Sunday, all the professionals play a third and final round to decide the winner of The Dutch Masters trophy.
While it must be disappointing for the Seniors to be restricted to a field of 54 this year (in 2010 there were 78 players) and to see the prize money shrink before their eyes – this year the prize-fund totals 180,000 euros (in 2010 that was 250,000 euros) – all credit to Tournament Director, Pieter van Doorne, TIG Sports and the sponsors for getting the event back on the calendar. It’s a great opportunity for amateur golfers to play with some of their heroes and for the not-so-fortunate to venture down to Spijk and enjoy watching the golf for free.
Wendy Hoad
NICE TO KNOW: ‘The Dutch Masters’ is to be held at The Dutch in Spijk, currently the venue of the KLM Open, from 6-8 October. Admission is free.
LISTEN TO: ‘Woosie over the Moon’; ‘Golding shines in Amsterdam’
MAIN PICTURE: Gary Wolstenholme in action at The International. © Photography by Golfing Inspirations