Golfbaan De Hooge Rotterdamsche

Origins

The course's defining landscape existed before the golf club did. North of Rotterdam, material including rubble from the city's wartime destruction accumulated into an artificial ridge in the Rottemeren area. That elevated ground, rising roughly 25 metres above the surrounding lowland, later provided an unusually contoured site for Dutch golf.

Golfclub De Hooge Bergsche was founded on 2 May 1989 and became the regular playing club at Golfbaan De Rottebergen. NL dates the course itself to 1990 and attributes its design to Dutch golf-course architect Gerard Jol.

Design Philosophy

Jol's routing makes extensive use of the site's manufactured topography. Rather than resembling the predominantly flat polder courses common around Rotterdam, holes repeatedly climb, descend or play across the ridge. The current par-71 scorecard has an outward nine of par 36 and an inward nine of par 35, with three par fives and five par threes across the round.

The elevation also creates long views toward Rotterdam. The routing remains compact enough that changes in height, direction and club selection provide much of its variety rather than extreme overall length.

Development

The facility developed under the De Rottebergen name before a major identity change on 1 January 2014, when both the golf course and Golfclub De Hooge Bergsche became De Hooge Rotterdamsche. Dutch golf press from the period also reports that several holes were altered or rebuilt around 2014 with involvement from architect Alan Rijks. More recent work has continued at individual holes: the club's current digital course guide specifically identifies a renovated 10th hole dating from 2023.

Practice infrastructure has also expanded substantially, with a floodlit range, multiple putting and short-game greens, practice bunkers and a fitting centre. In August 2026 the NGF reported installation of TrackMan technology at the driving range.

Recognition

De Hooge Rotterdamsche has become closely associated with Joost Luiten, who hit his first golf balls there and later used it as his home course while developing into one of the Netherlands' leading professional golfers. In GOLF.NL's 2018 review-based survey of South Holland courses, De Hooge Rotterdamsche ranked third in the province behind the Koninklijke Haagsche and Noordwijkse. The club also stages the Rijnmond Open, an annual stroke-play tournament open to amateur golfers from across the Netherlands.

Today

The course remains an 18-hole home venue for Golfclub De Hooge Rotterdamsche, whose official site reports more than 1,000 members, while visitor tee times are also available. The facility operates throughout most of the year and accepts guest golfers with appropriate handicap credentials. Alongside the main course are a golf school, extensive practice areas, club fitting and the Brasserie De Hooge Rotterdamsche.

The elevated putting green and clubhouse terrace overlook the 18th green and the Rotterdam skyline.