The Project - Koksijde Golf ter Hille

In 2000, the municipality of Koksijde took the initiative to build a new golf course in Koksijde. Studies had shown that there was a need for a fully-fledged golf course on the West Coast of Belgium. More than fourteen years later and after dealing with innumerable administrative procedures, Koksijde Golf ter Hille was finally opened on 21 June 2014.

Koksijde Golf ter Hille fills a gap for golf aficionados on the West Coast of Belgium. Not just amongst local residents, but there are also many potential golf players amongst the tourists and those who have second homes in Koksijde. Until recently, there was no fully-fledged golf course in the region. Golf players therefore needed to go to courses on the East Coast (Royal Ostend Golf Club in De Haan, Wellington Golf in Ostend), further away in the Westhoek, i.e. Maritime Flanders (Palingbeek Ieper and Ieper Open Golf) or even Northern France (Golf de Dunkerque in Bergues).

That the golf course in Koksijde meets a real need, is proven by the initial membership figures when the golf course was opened. After the driving range opened in September 2012, there were already 500 or so members. When the Hazebeek course (9 holes) opened, this became approximately 750. The opening of the Langeleed course (18 holes) on 1 May 2014 again brought a boost to the membership numbers: it jumped to 850. In addition, many prospective golfers are joining who are following a starter package.

Today, there are more than 1.200 members at Koksijde Golf ter Hille.

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Democratising golf

Koksijde Golf ter Hille wishes to fulfill a pioneering role in the democratisation of golf as a sport and break through the elitist nature it has. It also wishes to be a low threshold venue. This is expressed in the reception that visitors get and on a financial level (memberships, green fees, etc.), but also in the organisation. As a public golf club, Koksijde Golf ter Hille has an important mission, that is, make golf accessible to everyone and to have new people come into contact with golf each and every day: local residents, tourists, employees and companies. Every last Saturday of the month (except in July and August), you can participate in a free initiation session. The organisation of open days must also keep the threshold low and accessibility high. This is done from an open spirit for those with a lower disposable income, social groups and people with an impairment or disability.

In addition, special attention is paid to a child and family friendly approach. Hospitality is the name of the game in the club house that contains an administrative office, bar and restaurant. The club house is also accessible to the public (i.e. to everybody) including non-golf players and groups. You can discover the golf course's operation, organisation and maintenance through guided tours.

FOR YOUNG AND OLD

The support and training given to young people play a big role in the democratisation of golf. The expansion of a sound youth teaching centre is therefore also one of the priorities of Koksijde Golf ter Hille. Within the framework of physical education lessons, the municipality of Koksijde gives every student of the 5th and 6th class of all primary schools a golf lesson of an hour with a golf professional. In addition, youth sessions are organised during school holidays and youth teaching sessions are organised on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday and Sunday mornings. There are classrooms in the club house with audio teaching material where teaching can take place and a junior room where young people can gather and meet each other.

Koksijde also has an important group of senior citizens. As well as golf competitions for senior citizens, there are also quite some subactivities including days out. The club house also offers senior citizens possibilities for other activities such as playing cards and a bridge club.

FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY

For people with a disability or impairment, Koksijde Golf ter Hille wishes to regularly offer sporting options under high-quality conditions regardless of the nature of the disability from a recreational to a competitive level. Everybody is welcome at the golf course: people with a mental impairment, a hearing impairment (deaf or hearing impaired), visual impairment (blind and visually impaired), with a motor (or physical) or psychological impairment. Threshold lowering measures ensure that golf is accessible to them. In the past, the club already worked in partnership with a rehabilitation centre from the region: the KEI (Koningin Elisabeth Instituut) in Oostduinkerke. Golf is also relevant in the rehabilitation process. Playing golf improves, for example, your equilibrium (balance) and coordination, provides cognitive training and ensures that the mental and physical loads are responsible.

Even those who use a wheelchair can now play golf. A 'paragolfer' was purchased with the support from different service clubs so that they can play while standing vertically.

Organization and management

Koksijde Golf ter Hille is managed by Autonoom Gemeentebedrijf Koksijde, an external and independent agency. This makes Koksijde Golf ter Hille an exception in Flanders as is Golf Puyenbroeck in Wachtebeke. A supportive property project is not involved in any way as is the case with many other golf courses where it is often used for funding golf itself. Autonoom Gemeentebedrijf Koksijde is itself responsible for the funding and running of the golf course.

Autonoom Gemeentebedrijf Koksijde has set up a sports committee for the expansion of the sports operation of the golf club. This is under the leadership of a Captain who is assisted in his tasks by a Vice-captain. Their main job is organising club competitions in different categories: seniors, men, ladies, rabbits, young adults and juniors. The club also organises days out, an end-of-season ball and other activities.