Royal Antwerp Golf Club (Tom Simpson)

Overview: Royal Antwerp Golf Club, located in the quiet forests of Kapellen north of Antwerp, is the oldest and most historic golf club in Belgium, featuring a timeless heathland course designed by the legendary Tom Simpson. Set across flat but beautifully rumpled terrain on sandy subsoil, the course winds through dense pine forests and expansive fields of heather. Simpson’s trademark strategic bunkering, artistic routing, and subtly contoured green complexes require precise shot-making and a deep understanding of angles, providing a serene yet stern test in a classic heathland setting.

History: Founded in 1888 by a group of British expatriates and local aristocrats, Royal Antwerp is the oldest golf club in Belgium and one of the oldest on the European continent. The course was significantly redesigned by Tom Simpson in 1930, who used his classic design principles to elevate the layout into a world-class test. The club has maintained an uncompromising dedication to preserving Simpson's original architecture, remaining a deeply private and traditional haven.

Did You Know? The historic clubhouse, built in a traditional cottage style and surrounded by towering pines, houses a magnificent collection of golf memorabilia dating back to the late 19th century. During World War I, the course was heavily damaged and used for military maneuvers, but it was meticulously restored to Simpson's designs in the 1920s and 1930s.