The 10th hole at Hilversumsche Golf Club © Peter Corden
Martin Kaymer 18/1 © Keith Allison
The Hilversumsche Golf Club was formed in 1910 and is one of the most distinguished clubs in the Netherlands. The heathland course has a very rich history and the current location at the Soestdijkerstraatweg in Hilversum was acquired in 1917. Henry Burrows designed the original nine holes and in 1923 the International Dutch Championship was played here for the first time, which Henry Burrows went on to win.
In 1928 the course was expanded to 18 holes by well know golf course designer Sir Harry Colt. Sir Guy Campbell made further modifications, most notably to the par fives, in the early 1950s. Kyle Phillips was recently appointed to remodelled various holes including a major renewal and redesign of several greens aimed at restoring specific Colt characteristics of the course.
Martin Kaymer 18/1 and Nicolas Colsaerts 14/1 tee it up at Hilversumsche Golf Club this week for the KLM Open. The Dutch Open dates back to 1912 one of the oldest tournaments played on the European Tour. The Hilversumsche Golf Club has been the host club 25 times. Lee Westwood won the title at this venue back in 1999. The Dutch Open has a great history having been won by Bobby Locke, Vicente Fernández, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer.
Joost Luiten 22/1 © Kevin Murray
My tips to Win:
At the time of writing I don’t know what the odds on Martin Kaymer 18/1 are, but by the time this goes up I will know. I don’t think Martin will win here this week, but I do think he will challenge. He has been away working on his game ready for this months Ryder Cup and he will be in determined mood here. He does have a good record on this track being a previous winner in 2010.
Its been a steady season for Joost Luiten 22/1 he sits in 45th place on the European Tour money list and has five Top 25 finishes this year, its hard when you play in your home tournament, but the Dutchmen played well here last year finishing just outside the Top 5 in sixth place and I think he will at least go one better this week.
Simon Dyson 25/1 will probably be made favourite this week, not only is he the defending champion, but he also won here in 2009 and 2006. I must admit Simon hasn’t had the year I thought he would, I did think he would be challenging at the majors and possibly make the Ryder Cup team, but he is back on familiar territory and I think the Yorkshire man will do will here this week.
Romain Wattel 33/1 © Kevin Murray
My each-way tips:
David Lynn 25/1 is having a deceptively good year, he sits in 14th place on the European Order of merit, helped by a nice fat cheque from his 2nd place at the PGA Championship, but he has also had six other Top 15 finishes and won this title back in 2004 so look for the lad from Stoke-on-Trent to do well here this week.
It’s hard to ignore the claims of Romain Wattel 33/1 who has had two Top 5 finishes in his last two events. Romain has also been inside the Top 25 in nine of his twenty one tournaments played so far this year, I am sure its not going to be long before the lad from Montpellier bags his first senior European Tour title.
My outside tip:
Robert Coles 125/1 always seems to start tournaments with a bang and then start to slide backwards, the last two years has seen Robert open with rounds of 67 and 68 on this track, lets hope he starts like that again this year and keeps it going. One week, he will and someone will earn a lot of money, let’s hope it’s this week at these odds.
For updated betting odds during the tournament go to planetgolfreview.com
Frost on the Hilversumsche Golf Club © E Dronker
