Noord-Nederlandse Golf & Country Club
Golf club in Groningen, Netherlands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Noord-Nederlandse Golf & Country Club (abbreviated NNG&CC, Dutch for Golf & Country Club of the Northern Netherlands) is located on the historical De Poll estate in Groningen, Netherlands. The site is known for its beauty[1] and is covered by the Dutch national 'Natural Beauty Act' (Natuurschoonwet).[2]
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 Interactive map of Noord-Nederlandse Golf & Country Club | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Glimmen, Groningen, Netherlands |
| Total holes | 18 |
| Website | nngcc.nl |
| Designed by | Sir Guy Campbell |
| Designed by | Frank Pennink |
| Designed by | Donald Steel |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 5709 meters |
| Course rating | 127 |
History
1950s–1960s
The Noord-Nederlandse Golf & Country Club was founded in 1950.[3] It was the first Dutch golf club to be established after World War II. From, members and guest played in a field next to Eelde Airport,[4][5] zoned and soon needed for the airport's development. Founding chairman was Syb Nijhoff.[6][7] Kees Poll led the physical construction of the temporary golf course in Eelde.[8]
In 1952 Willem Rost Onnes sold his country estate De Poll near Glimmen to the golf club. These 60 hectares are bordered on the east by two nature reserves: 'Westerlanden' and 'Besloten Venen', and on the west by the Drentsche Aa and the Meppel–Groningen railway.
The course, initially 9 holes, on the De Poll estate was designed by Sir Guy Colin Campbell and opened in 1954. This took up 42 ha.[9] The golf course was opened in 1954 by the Queen's Commissioner Edzo Hommo Ebels.[10] The house of Rost Onnes was transformed into the new clubhouse of the golf club. In 1957, Nijhoff was replaced as chairman.
Since 1960, NNG&CC organizes the annual Tromp Cup.[11] The Tromp Cup later also became the Dutch Junior Championship Stroke Play.[12][13]
1970s–1980s
During the 1977 Dutch train hijacking at De Punt, a command post was set up in the clubhouse, where 40 soldiers and marines camped.[14]
In 1984 the estate was expanded by 13 hectares, on which the golf course was expanded to 18 holes, designed by architect Frank Pennink.[15] During construction, a piece of forest with remainders of a pingo was purchased in 1986. During the expansion of the new holes, 3 hectares of coniferous forest were converted into deciduous forest and another 5 hectares of deciduous forest were planted. The new golf course was opened in 1987 by the Queen's Commissioner Henk Vonhoff.[16] The opening was supposed to be by the Queen's husband, Prince Bernhard, who canceled last moment.[16]
1990s–present
In 1991 the clubhouse was expanded. In 1992 another 3.3 ha was purchased from a neighbor, after which the golf course was optimized until 1998 according to a design by architect Donald Steel. The holes are located in woods and on some meadows and part of the course is located in a park landscape with many rhododendrons.[11]
Due to the popularity of the course, in 2006 there was a minimum handicap requirement of 30 in the weekends.[17]
In the 2009 Tromp Cup, Reinier Saxton's track record of 67 was lowered to 66 by the winner, Willem Vork.[11][12]