Hello from Amsterdam, the Netherlands

[Flying Dutchman]

I have been a member here since 2009. Even though I have not posted much yet, I visit this site almost daily. After reading the very interesting "How was GOLFWRX created" thread (recommended!), I figured a proper introduction of myself was the least I should do to show my respect to what the founders and members here have created.

 

Born in 1973 in the Netherlands and did not pick up a golf club until I was 25. Started together with my Dad who, just as I, got hooked after hitting that first ball on the sweet spot. Did not play very regularly the first 7 years of my golfing life, mainly as a result of the poor weather in the NL's and most of my playing buddies being occupied with family life. My handicap hovered around 24 at that time.

 

Really started playing more when my wife and I moved to the US in 2006. We ended up in Alabama, right on the Gulf Coast. Played every weekend and enjoyed the perfect weather, especially in fall and spring. Summer is the low season for golf there because it's too hot! Nice!

 

After 3 years we moved to Atlanta and we became members at the Canongate group of courses (25 courses around ATL are part of this group and you can play them all!). Set out to really lower my handicap and with the guys from the GolfTec store in Buckhead managed to regularly break 90 and get down to a 15.5 handicap.

 

Work took us back to the NL's this year and the weather here has been terrible. My handicap is creeping back up again, now around a 16.6.

 

Really miss the US and the golf over there. I was fortunate enough to go to the Masters in Augusta 3 years in a row (practice rounds) and attended the FedEx play-offs twice in our home town Atlanta. Love how the big sporting events in the US are a family outing, everybody has fun!

 

Anyway, plan to contribute more to the this forum in the future. After the winter I want to dedicate more time to golf and see if I can get down to a single digit handicap…. They just opened one of the largest Golf-training facilities in Europe close to our home in Amsterdam (www.amsteldijk.nl) so no more excuses!

 

For now a Happy and Healthy 2013!

[Fade]

It is nice to see [i]de Friese vlag [/i]flying over GOLFWRX! I was born in Leeuwarden, but have never played in the Netherlands.

[ZNatural]

Nice to have you post! Hopefully work can take you back to the states.

[4-right]

Welcome

[Sean2]

Greetings and Welcome!

I wish I were on the Gulf Coast right now. :-)

[Kadin 25]

Welcome to Golfwrx!

[Mainlinegolfer]

I lived and worked in Amsterdam (apartment on the Herengracht) for a few years in the mid-'80s. Joined Noordwijkse Golf Club and met my (now) wife there. She grew up in Wassenaar and played Den Haagse as a kid.

[swanry30]

Very glad to have you here! WELCOME!

[Flying Dutchman]

[quote name='Mainlinegolfer' timestamp='1357071735' post='6149289']
I lived and worked in Amsterdam (apartment on the Herengracht) for a few years in the mid-'80s. Joined Noordwijkse Golf Club and met my (now) wife there. She grew up in Wassenaar and played Den Haagse as a kid.
[/quote]


You did well, if you want to live on the Herengracht now, you have to be a millionaire! A friend of mine is a member at the Noordwijkse, consistently ranked in Europe's top 10. Very difficult links course, especially after a warm and wet summer like this year and the rough grows knee-high! The same goes for the Haagsche by the way....

Have you ever been back the Holland since?

[Mainlinegolfer]

[quote name='Flying Dutchman' timestamp='1357413956' post='6173649']
[quote name='Mainlinegolfer' timestamp='1357071735' post='6149289']
I lived and worked in Amsterdam (apartment on the Herengracht) for a few years in the mid-'80s. Joined Noordwijkse Golf Club and met my (now) wife there. She grew up in Wassenaar and played Den Haagse as a kid.
[/quote]


You did well, if you want to live on the Herengracht now, you have to be a millionaire! A friend of mine is a member at the Noordwijkse, consistently ranked in Europe's top 10. Very difficult links course, especially after a warm and wet summer like this year and the rough grows knee-high! The same goes for the Haagsche by the way....

Have you ever been back the Holland since?
[/quote]
Yes, back in the '80s the US$ was strong and expatriates lived well! (and I was single!). Our office was on the Kaisersgracht. Noordwijkse had an expedited golf membership program for expatriates, knowing that they would only be members for a few years. During the summer, we would drive from Amsterdam and could get in 18 holes before dark.

Yes, I traveled to Holland several times per year for years (not as much now) doing consulting work for Dutch banks in corporate finance and capital markets. We also visited my wife's family, mostly in den Haag and Rotterdam, but a niece and nephew have a house in Amsterdam on the Kaisersgracht. (BTW, my wife's mother was Friesian!).