November 2010

Koekange, Netherlands

A trip to Preston, England in 1994 by Dutchman Erik Jorritsma was the unlikely catalyst for the building of Holland's first Pitch and Putt course. On that trip, the young journalist experienced Pitch and Putt for the first time and felt the sport would have a future in his homeland. Erik formed a franchise-company Pitch & Putt Support BV, and built the first of many courses near his home in Koekange.

Koekange is a village in the Dutch province of Drenthe, municipality of De Wolden, with about 2,250 inhabitants. A rural area, the village was tiny up to the mid 20th century but new construction after World War II created a larger centre.

Erik Jorritsma founded the Dutch Pitch and Putt Union (NPPB) in 1998. having read of the European Championship in the magazine "Backspin" and on the PPUI website. The NPPB's first course was Koekange, in the Northern Netherlands. Koekange's holes range from 30 to 70 metres in length, making it a short, but interesting course. The necessary hazards spice things up. The course has changed over the years but still ranks among the finest in the Netherlands.

Pitch & Putt Koekange recognises that clients enjoy Pitch and Putt but also like a large variety of packages with additional activities. Tea or coffee or full dinner is available. Pitch and Putt may be combined with a pub quiz or a meeting while floodlit Pitch and Putt is also available.

Koekange is easily reached by car and there is ample parking. Coming from the direction of Zwolle take the A32 towards Heerenveen. On the A32 take exit 3 Meppel North. After the exit turn right towards Ruinerwold. You are now on the N375. Drive straight ahead at the first roundabout. At the second roundabout turn right and right again. Now you can park behind the farm.

Coming from the direction of Heerenveen on the A32, take exit 3 Meppel North. At the exit turn right for Ruinerwold. For further description see above.

Coming from the A28 from the north or south, take exit Pesse / Geldings. At the end of the exit go in the direction of Ruinen. At the second roundabout head towards Koekange. Immediately turn right and you can park behind the farm.

An Exhibition Match to officially open the Netherlandse Pitch and Putt Bond's (NPPB) course at Groningen, Holland in April 2001 featured Ireland's national strokeplay champions of the year 2000, Marina O'Rourke (Cloghogue) and Ray Murphy (Templebreedy). An Open tournament was held in conjunction with the Exhibition Match at NPPB's original course Koekange. Ray Murphy shot eight under par 100 at Koekange to finish ahead of Rolf Kwant, by five shots. Marina O'Rourke shot level par 108 to be third.

Koekange is the home course of Dutch greats, Rolf Kwant, Jan Tijhuis Rinus Huberts Henkh-Rik Koetsier. Rinus Huberts won the millennium Dutch Strokeplay championship at Koekange in 2000.

The late great Willie Parker (RIP) visited Koekange to provide some coaching and the Dutch were encouraged to swing into action at the first European championships in Chelmsford back in 1999.

Course Address:
WEERWILLE 16
7961 LV RUINERWOLD
Telephone: +31 (0) 522-452059
Fax: +31 (0) 70-3870766