Page 44 - 07.06 p1-56 (Final Print)

STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

NETHERLANDS

WGTF OF THE NETHERLANDS READY FOR A NEW START!

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

Changing culture – Bjorn Beekman coaches, including myself.”
He adds, “That is also why
Enter Beekman, a we always put our passion
former Dutch professional for this great game to the
who made a name for forefront at our academy.
himself in establishing the Moreover, we educate our
largest golf academy in The Netherlands, the coaches to be ‘entertrainers.’ So, when DGTF
ANWB Golf Academy. Every year, more than was looking for a new future, I figured if we can
1,800 golfers pick up the game after taking part be successful with players, why should we not

“Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
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SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro ®