Utrecht ‘De Pan’

Architect: HS Colt
Restoration: Frank Pont
 

De Pan has a superb routing though sandy hills and is a typical heathland course covered with heather and Scots pine.

The club made several changes in the 1980s and 1990s with which it wasn’t delighted, in particular, the creation of three new greens that did not sit well with Colt’s originals. Also, over time, the bunkers’ shapes had been lost and the playing corridors had narrowed significantly due to an unchecked growth of trees and other vegetation.

Frank was appointed consulting architect in 2005. Emphasising Colt’s principles, his first action was to create a long-term plan to restore the course to its former glory. In 2006, it was approved by the Green Committee, Board and membership. Since then, work has been undertaken every winter, all of which has been in keeping with the plan.

The course has risen spectacularly in the rankings. It is rated #2 in Golf World’s Continental Europe Top 100 having originally been #28 and is now ranked #101 in the world by GOLF Magazine.