We were intrigued to hear that PPBN Treasurer and Dutch Open organiser Kim Kuijsters also managed to win the Ladies Open. Below, Kim tells us how.  

You are deeply involved with the Crayestein course?

Yes. Crayestein has been my home course for more than 35 years. Last October, we opened our 9-hole Pitch & Putt course, with two tee positions on each hole.

What motivated you to seek to have Crayestein as the host course for this year’s Dutch Open?

I was initially helping another course prepare to host the event, but we were unable to meet the required deadlines. At that point, I suggested bringing the tournament to Crayestein because I was confident that we could deliver a high-quality course and a successful event.

For a player, what are Crayestein’s particular challenges?

The course offers several challenges. The greens are particularly demanding and were running very fast during the tournament weekend. The first hole is also tricky, as it can be difficult to keep the ball on the green.

It was very close between you and Esther de Schiffart on Saturday?

That’s right. There was only one stroke between us, but I managed to stay composed and keep my score together during the final round.

Your 57 on Sunday gave you a significant cushion at the end. You must be pleased with that round?

Absolutely. I made a number of birdies, although I finished with a double bogey and a bogey. Fortunately, the score was still enough to secure the victory.

What pleased you most about the weekend?

Seeing happy faces, experiencing great sportsmanship, and enjoying the excellent weather. Those things made the event special for everyone involved.

Were there any particular crisis points during the round?

The first hole was certainly one of them. In addition, the speed of the greens caught some players by surprise, as they were much faster than many were used to.

Did you find it very difficult to concentrate on playing when you were also one of the key event organisers?

That was one of the reasons I played in the second group on Saturday. It gave me time to take care of organisational matters both before and after my round. I was also fortunate to have help with some crucial tasks, such as the scoring.

You must be very pleased with the success of the tournament?

Yes, very much so. The international atmosphere was excellent. For future editions, I hope we can attract even more players from countries such as Ireland, France, and elsewhere in Europe.

Is Crayestein interested in hosting a FIPPA tournament in 2027?

Certainly. However, as we only have nine holes, our capacity is different from larger venues with 18. The maximum number of players we can accommodate over a tournament weekend is around 108, including play on the Friday. For us no problem.

Do you think the European Seniors Strokeplay Championship would be successful in the Netherlands?

We certainly hope so. There is already a Dutch course interested in hosting the championship, and we believe it would be a great addition to the European calendar.