Page 44 - Summer2020GTP

STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

NETHERLANDS

WGTF OF THE NETHERLANDS READY FOR A NEW START!

ANWB Golf Academy. Every year, more than 1,800
golfers pick up the game after taking part in one
of the many attractive and accessible courses
the Academy has on offer. Beekman was quick to
approach Verstraten and discuss the future of the
By Kees Jan Stel , DGTF. The success of ANWB Golf, with over 45,000
Head of Communication members the largest golf club in The Netherlands
and partner of the Academy, convinced
ince early May, the face of the WGTF of The Verstraten that Beekman was the right man for the
SNetherlands endured a drastic change. It job. The reason is obvious. ANWB Golf has been
was Edward Verstraten who started the Dutch instrumental in opening up the golf culture in The
subsidiary of the WGTF back in Netherlands, which used to be
1995. But after the retirement of very guarded and selective.
the golf entrepreneur, it is now
Bjorn Beekman who is at the “We want “Entertrainers”
helm of the organization. Beekman himself
For insiders of the Dutch our is clear about the reasons
golf community, it is hard not for the success: “At our
to know Edward Verstraten. coaches academy, we teach not just
Verstraten had a huge golf, but also teach fun. Dutch
influence on the organization, to be golf education has always
also known as the Dutch Golf been dominated by the PGA
Teachers Federation (DGTF) entertrainers.” of Holland. Don’t get me
for over 25 years. But all good wrong; there is nothing wrong
things come to an end, and with this organization, but we
Verstraten decided at the – Bjorn Beekman felt a different approach was
start of 2020 that he wanted to welcome.” And he continues,
retire and spend more time on smiling: “We still owe a lot
life outside of golf. of gratitude to Thomas T

Wartelle. He was there at the
Changing culture start of DGTF and inspired many aspiring coaches,
Enter Beekman, a former Dutch professional including myself.” He adds, “That is also why we
who made a name for himself in establishing the always put our passion for this great game to
largest golf academy in The Netherlands, the the forefront at our academy. Moreover, we

Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
®
4
1
41
Golf Teaching Pro SUMMER 2020