Newsletter dated September 10, 2025

Safe together
We unleashed something ...
What an overwhelming number of responses and support we have received from many quarters. Not only from our annual season ticket holders and other golfers but also from fellow golf courses, fellow greenkeepers and many others. The media also picked up on the course closure and our statement.It is very much alive, there is plenty of understanding and the compliments on the way Tespelduyn puts its employees on 1 are enormous. Many thanks to all!

Golden Rules
1. Greenkeepers always have the right of way.
2. Address each other and be prepared to be addressed.

Commonly mentioned points from the responses:
"Tackle the perpetrators."
Do we. Effective immediately we enforce and sanctions apply.
Incorrect, rough or aggressive behavior is not accepted and golfers who cause unsafe situations in the golf course may, even without prior warning, be temporarily or permanently deprived of the right to play. In this case, no refund of paid fees will apply.
The above sanctions are determined by the management and are secured in our terms and conditions.

"Why hit everyone with this course closure and not just the evildoers?"
We understand that we have also affected those golfers who do behave respectfully towards our greenkeepers. We sincerely regret that. We saw no other way than to make an impact or give the warning that the safety of our team and the future of golf at Tespelduyn is more than ever the first priority.

Are you part of an unsafe situation? Please report it to the reception desk.

"Etiquette, norms and values have faded"
In this we are also clear and go back to 'the old normal'. This means nothing more or less that in addition to golf etiquette, basic norms and values apply. Safety at 1 and when appropriate; speak to each other and be prepared to be spoken to so that we eliminate offensive behavior.Greenkeepers always have priority; visibility and signaling (such as flashing lights) are part of this. You can read the rules of conduct under Local Rules.

"Why not mow at different times?"
We never really think about it, but golf is the only sport where play and maintenance take place simultaneously. We plan maintenance smartly and as much as possible outside peak times. In appropriate cases, a hole may be closed for maintenance briefly.Mowing and ball retrieval on the driving range will be robotized this week so that the closure of the range is no longer or only minimally needed.

With fresh courage and mind, golf can be played and practiced again from Thursday, September 11. We wish everyone lots of (golf) fun!

Golf course news Sept. 7, 2025
We'd rather close the golf course for three days, than face one more day
Golf course closed on September 8, 9 and 10

The measure is full and the limit is well past.

Our greenkeepers regularly experience unsafe situations and work with fear in their bodies. We cannot and must not let this happen any longer! Respect for our fellow man must return immediately and at Tespelduyn we want and must return to 'the old normal'. Out of deep respect for our greenkeepers and to indicate the seriousness of the situation with a strong signal, the golf course will be closed on September 8, 9 and 10. All practice facilities will also be closed these days and therefore not accessible. With this drastic decision we choose for our employees. Always.

Without greenkeepers, golf is impossible. The behavior of golfers, the many good ones aside, in the course has deteriorated drastically in recent years and is therefore regularly a danger to our staff. Ro, Remco, Lennart, Jaap & Nico should be able to work safely, but they are put at risk by golfers. They not only feel unsafe, but even anxious while doing their job and that is unacceptable. The measure is full and the line has been well crossed. Safety is not a luxury but a right.

With direct dealings we enforce strictly and sanctions apply. Incorrect, rough or aggressive behavior will not be accepted and golfers who cause unsafe situations in the golf course can, possibly also without prior warning, temporarily or permanently be deprived of the right to play. This does not include a refund of monies paid. The above sanctions are determined by management and are guaranteed in our general conditions.

These situations our greenkeepers experience:

Just (tee off) without getting a sign from greenkeeper.
Greenkeeper is hit by a golf ball with the response "I didn't know I could hit that far".
Causing an incident and then completely ignoring the greenkeeper in danger.
Getting big mouth if you address golfer in question.
"Then you go to work with a helmet on anyway"
A greenkeeper is kicked by a golfer because the golfer was addressed for dangerous behavior.
Golfer tees off while greenkeeper drives 50 meters away. When asked if he would have turned even if it were not a greenkeeper but a golfer, the answer was "no, of course not."
If another golfer walks on a green then of course you don't hit, but if a greenkeeper walks on the green you do.
Cause a dangerous situation and then say you know what the greenkeeper wants to say and then walk on.
While picking up balls on the driving range, kindly ask a golfer to stop teeing off and then just keep on teeing off. Life-threatening.
While poking the green, just hit the ball onto the green.

A greenkeeper says the behavior makes it feel like you're being spat in your face....

The main cause is the haste and impatience of golfers. Why in fact? You are engaged in leisure activities! Experience shows that starting golfers are not the causers of dangerous situations.

We understand that this message also affects golfers who do behave respectfully towards our greenkeepers. We sincerely regret that. Yet we see no other way than to send this strong signal, for the safety of our team and the future of golf at Tespelduyn.

Address each other and be prepared to be addressed as well.

Press release dated September 7, 2025

Golf course Tespelduyn closes rather three days the golf course, than one more day the eyes

September 8, 9 and 10 course closure

Noordwijkerhout-based Tespelduyn Estate & Golf Course is making an unusual but necessary decision. On September 8, 9 and 10, the golf course will remain closed and also all practice facilities are closed these days. With this severe measure Tespelduyn wants to send a strong signal. The safety of the greenkeepers is under serious pressure and this cannot and must not continue.

In recent years, the behavior of golfers on the course has drastically deteriorated. Greenkeepers are increasingly confronted with dangerous situations during their work and no longer feel safe and sometimes even anxious.

"Our greenkeepers are the indispensable foundation of the golf course, states Peter Duivenvoorde, director of Tespelduyn. "Without their professionalism and commitment, golf is simply not possible. As director, I stand firmly behind my people. I cannot and will not allow their safety to be compromised. Safety comes first and safety is not a luxury, but a right. This closure is a distress signal that we unfortunately have to send out to make it clear that this really cannot continue in this manner. At the same time I would like to state that of course and fortunately there is also a large group of golfers who treat our employees with respect."

"The most beautiful profession there is, ensuring a golf course in the best possible condition, is being taken away from us in this way," states the emotional chief greenskeeper Ro Wempe. "The measure is full and in my case the second bucket has already overflowed. I deeply regret having to say this, but the pleasure in my work disappears when I have to fear daily for my own safety and that of my colleagues. We want nothing more than to practice our profession with pride and pleasure, but we can only do so in a safe environment. We are not asking for applause but rather respect and consideration for fellow human beings, concludes Wempe."

With this decision, Tespelduyn counts on all golfers becoming more aware than ever of their responsibility on the course. Only with respect for the greenkeepers, for the course and for each other can golf enjoyment be maintained and remain possible.