The Bernardus Experience: Play, Eat & Stay at the Netherlands’ Solheim Cup 2026 Venue

(Noord-Brabant) - Set to host the Solheim Cup in September - the first time the event will be staged in the Netherlands - Bernardus showcases The Bernardus Experience: a seamless Play, Eat & Stay offering combining championship golf, Michelin star dining, and boutique on-course accommodation.

The Dutch championship venue, located in the province of Noord-Brabant, near the historic city of ’s-Hertogenbosch and the Van Gogh National Park, is set within a tranquil natural landscape while remaining highly accessible internationally,  positioned within approximately 30 minutes of Eindhoven Airport and easily reached from Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

The Bernardus Experience is designed for those who want more from their round, turning a day of golf into an on-site reset, where the transition from course to table to room feels effortless, allowing visitors to enjoy the full experience.

The Bernardus Experience centres on the venue’s championship course, where guests can play unlimited golf throughout the day, with access to the driving range, alongside the club’s short game areas and premium practice facilities. Dining is anchored by Noble Kitchen, the on-site Michelin star restaurant, where a six-course dinner provides a refined conclusion to the day in a setting recognised for both precision and atmosphere. Accommodation is offered at Bernardus Lodge, a boutique on-course retreat comprising eight modern double rooms with spacious bathrooms, designed to provide privacy, calm, and immediate access to the first tee.

Guests staying at the Lodge also have access to on-site leisure facilities including the gym, sauna, hammam, and tennis court. The heated outdoor pool is open from the 1st of April to the 1st of October. Non-golfing partners are equally well catered for, with complimentary access to the facilities or the option to enhance the day with additional  experiences such as a massage, personal training in the gym, or a lesson on the range.

Designed by Kyle Phillips, Bernardus has earned a reputation for elite conditioning and presentation, having hosted the DP World Tour’s Dutch Open in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Now entering a defining period of international visibility ahead of this year’s Solheim Cup, the venue continues to position itself as a modern golf-and-lifestyle destination where detail, rhythm, and service shape the stay on and off the course. This year also marks the first occasion on which the PING Junior Solheim Cup will take place on the same course as the Solheim Cup itself, reinforcing Bernardus’ position at the centre of a defining week in women’s golf.

Sabine Riezebos, General Manager at Bernardus, shared: “The Bernardus Experience reflects what we aim to offer every day: high level golf, warm hospitality, and the simplicity of staying right on the course. As we look ahead to the Solheim Cup in 2026, we look forward to welcoming visitors who want to experience Bernardus as a complete on-site destination, where golf, dining and downtime come together naturally.”

As part of the wider Bernardus Experience (only available from Wednesday to Sunday), guests can stay and play at the Solheim Cup venue through a range of seasonal packages. For a one-night stay including one full-day access to the course and practice facilities, rates start from €662.50 in low season and €722.50 in high season, with options also available for two guests from €1,035 in low season and €1,155 in high season. The packages include golf, accommodation and food; beverages are charged separately. Full details and seasonal availability are available via the official booking channels.

To find out more, visit: https://bernardusgolf.com/bernardus-experience/ and https://bernardusgolf.com/lodge/

Long Cove Announces The Old Mine Club and The Canary Course

Beau Welling-designed 18-Hole Championship Golf Course Set to Open in 2027;

Lakeside Layout Will Pay Homage to Land’s Mining History, Feature Two Island Holes

Long Cove, the luxurious lakefront community located an hour from Dallas, announces The Old Mine Club, an invitation-only private club on the shores of Cedar Creek Lake, and its centerpiece, The Canary—an 18-hole championship golf course designed by acclaimed architect Beau Welling that is set to open for member play in 2027.

The Canary will transform the century-old mining terrain into a refined and unforgettable golf experience that also celebrates East Texas’ natural landscape. Spanning over 7,400 yards from the back tees, The Canary will boast striking elevation changes, bold contours and water features that come into play on 10 holes, the majority of which will be located on the back nine.

“Beau Welling Design and our team have been working on The Canary for nearly five years now, and we are excited to invite members to enjoy what will be an unrivaled golf experience,” says Don McNamara, founder of Long Cove. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Beau and his team in transforming this land that was once the site of abandoned coal mines and a railroad into a striking lakefront course that will delight players and should be considered as one of the best layouts in the state.”

The signature holes at The Canary will be Nos. 11 and 18. These demanding par 4s will call for tee shots over a cove to island fairways that were once lignite coal tailings piles. The 11th and 18th holes will be perched directly across from the site of the Old Mine Club’s future clubhouse and anchor house, with iconic bridges spanning 180 feet connecting these holes to the mainland.

Other notable holes and unique features of The Canary will include:
- The fourth and fifth holes will play into the mounding formed by the dredging that created over two miles of shoreline at Long Cove
- Following the land’s natural formation, the ninth hole will have dual, or alternate, greens—a rarity among golf courses in Texas
- The 13th hole will play through a pine tree farm that was planted more than 20 years ago
- Hole Nos. 14-16 will play around a channel formed from mining excavation.

“After years of planning and promising conversations with the leadership at Long Cove, our team is excited to see work underway,” says Beau Welling, Founder and CEO of Beau Welling Design, whose impressive portfolio includes new projects at Omni PGA Frisco and Travis Club, as well as recent renovations to Ocean Forest Golf Club and Atlanta Country Club. “It’s a rare opportunity to work with such a unique piece of land, and we’re excited to add to the legacy of this great property with a new championship golf course that the membership will enjoy for years to come.”

Offering a rare combination of accessibility from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and a secluded, destination-style setting, The Old Mine Club will feature a 20,000+ square-foot full-service clubhouse overlooking the signature island holes. Inside the clubhouse members will enjoy multiple dining options suitable for private functions, fine dining and casual fare, and a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center. The Old Mine Club will also feature a driving range, short game practice area, watersports and the Anchor House – a hub for fishing, private instruction, and guided fishing and angling tours. Kids’ activities and family-friendly amenities will be thoughtfully integrated throughout, creating an inviting environment for all ages and many different interests.

For more information: www.oldmineclub.com and www.longcovetx.com

Brian Curley Progresses on Reimagined Golf Course at The River Club in Boise

Construction is well underway on the reimagined golf course at The River Club, with work progressing across all 18 holes as architect Brian Curley and his team continue a sweeping transformation of the club’s historic layout along the Boise River.

The current routing effectively swaps the club’s original nines. Much of the former back nine, where the holes run through residential corridors and required fewer structural changes, has already been completed, with irrigation installation and bunker construction underway.

The most dramatic changes are taking shape on what will become the new back nine, where holes now play through wider parkland corridors framed by large specimen trees. While the sylvan setting remains familiar, the design bears little resemblance to the original holes.

Among the most striking transformations are along the Boise River frontage on the new 13th and 18th holes. Historically, that portion of the property had little relationship to the river, sitting well below a protective dike and densely forested with vegetation. After years of permitting to clear the area, the land has been raised roughly 10 feet on average, creating two green sites that back into each other while overlooking a gentle bend in the river and nearby rapids.

The result, Curley says, is a dramatic new focal point for the club that also underscores its identity.

“These greens now sit above the Boise River and take in the sound and movement of the water,” Curley said. “As the only course in the market with true river frontage, those holes really reinforce the identity of The River Club, a name the club recently adopted to reflect its renewed connection to the river. In a region where most courses occupy inland valley land, direct riverfront golf is a rarity.”

Throughout the project, the design team has taken care to preserve as many trees as possible, with several also transplanted to maintain the character of the property and create natural backdrops throughout the course.

Curley also drew inspiration from the club’s architectural lineage. The original course, opened in 1917, was laid out by H. Chandler Egan, the celebrated amateur champion and early golf architect who later collaborated with Alister MacKenzie on the 1929 renovation of Pebble Beach Golf Links.

“Chandler Egan was involved here, and he of course played a role in the history of Pebble Beach as well as Pacific Grove Golf Links,” Curley said. “I grew up in Pebble Beach myself, so it felt meaningful to acknowledge that connection while respecting the character of this course in its small greens and bunkers.”

The project carries another personal dimension for Curley. His son, Cooper, is working on the build as a shaper, marking the first time the two have collaborated on a golf course.

Most green complexes have now been shaped, and the majority of fairway bunkering has been completed using modern Z-Line bunker-liner technology. Grass installation is expected to begin in late April, with Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass blends planned for fairways and rough, and Pure Eclipse bentgrass for tees and greens.

The club is planning an official reopening for late spring 2027.

“I’m very proud of what we are accomplishing at The River Club,” Curley said. “This project transforms what had been a relatively modest layout into a much more dramatic and memorable golf experience for the membership.”

Founded in 1917 along the Boise River, the club traces its roots to the original Boise Country Club, which later became Plantation Country Club before recently adopting its current name. Today the club serves as a full-service private lifestyle destination in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, featuring golf alongside amenities that include racquet sports, swimming, fitness facilities and a newly renovated clubhouse.

For more information about Curley-Wagner’s global collection of current and past projects, visit curley-wagner.com, @curley_wagner (Instagram), @curley_wagner (X).

Tiger Effect: Why Golf Betting Is Booming — and How a Masters Return Could Supercharge It

The business of golf betting is thriving — and one familiar name could send it into overdrive.

Just a few years ago, the sport faced uncertainty as LIV Golf began luring away some of the biggest stars from the PGA Tour. The rivalry created turbulence across the professional game and raised questions about the Tour’s long-term stability.

Now, the landscape looks very different.

While LIV’s momentum has slowed, the PGA Tour has found renewed energy — and one of its fastest-growing areas is sports betting. By embracing wagering partnerships and new betting products, the Tour is tapping into a rapidly expanding audience of engaged fans.

“Handle (total money bet) for the PGA Tour is up 35 percent year over year,” PGA Tour Vice President Scott Warfield told the New York Post, noting the increase spans multiple sports betting platforms.

One of the biggest developments has come through the Tour’s partnership with DraftKings, which recently introduced a “Same Game Parlay” option for golf bettors — a feature long popular in other sports but previously unavailable in professional golf.

“Golf is our fastest-growing sport,” said DraftKings Vice President of Product Nolan Shulman.

The feature allows bettors to combine multiple predictions within the same tournament. A fan, for example, could wager on a player hitting an approach shot within 10 feet of the hole, winning the first round, and ultimately capturing the tournament — all in one bet. Thousands of combinations are possible.

“This is the real coming-out party for same-game parlays,” Warfield said, noting that The Players Championship served as the first signature event to offer the feature.

Corey Gottlieb, DraftKings’ Chief Product Officer, said the appeal comes from the way fans naturally follow sports.

“SGP is the most synonymous experience with how you actually consume sports,” Gottlieb explained. “When you’re watching an event, every storyline enters your head individually. Each leg of a same-game parlay reflects an opinion on how the event will unfold.”

Even with betting interest already surging, the sport could see another massive boost if one of its biggest icons returns to competition this spring.

All eyes are on Tiger Woods and the possibility of a comeback at The Masters Tournament in April.

“Tiger drives interest all across the globe — there’s no hiding that,” Warfield said. “It would boost TV ratings, sports betting handle, and overall interest. It would be a nice lift, but we’re also confident in the innovations our partners continue to bring.”

Woods has not ruled out playing at Augusta National as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 15-time major champion has battled persistent injuries in recent years, including multiple back surgeries.

His presence, however, still commands enormous attention from bettors.

Some wager on him to make history — like James Anducci, who famously won $1.2 million when Woods captured the Masters in 2019. Others bet against him. One bettor reportedly placed $222,000 on Woods not to win the Masters in 2023, earning a modest $2,000 profit.

Either way, when Tiger is involved, the betting world takes notice.

And if he tees it up at Augusta again, the golf betting boom may be just getting started.

The Fifth Major We’ve Been Missing: Why the John Deere Classic Deserves a Bigger Stage

Every year, the debate begins again.

Golf has four majors — The Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. But for decades, fans and media have searched for a “fifth major.”

That label is most often attached to The Players Championship, the PGA TOUR’s flagship event at TPC Sawgrass.

But if golf were truly looking for a tournament that captures the heart of the game — the fans, the tradition, the players, and the spirit of competition — there’s another event quietly making a compelling case.

The unlikely contender?

The John Deere Classic.

A Tournament That Represents Golf’s Soul

Modern professional golf can sometimes feel distant from its roots. Massive corporate tents. Ticket prices that rival major sporting events. Courses that feel more like stadiums than communities.

The John Deere Classic is different.

Played at TPC Deere Run in the small Midwest community of Silvis, Illinois, the tournament embraces something many events have lost: accessibility. Fans walk alongside players. Volunteers know the competitors by name. And the atmosphere feels less like a spectacle and more like a celebration of the game.

If majors are meant to represent the pinnacle of golf, they should also represent its spirit. Few events do that better.

A Proven Launchpad for Stars

While the biggest names sometimes skip the week before The Open, the John Deere Classic has become one of the TOUR’s most important proving grounds.

Consider the list of players who announced themselves here:

Jordan Spieth captured his first PGA TOUR victory at the event in 2013 at just 19 years old.

Bryson DeChambeau won in 2017 during his rise toward becoming one of golf’s most polarizing and dominant figures.

Zach Johnson built his reputation with multiple victories in the Quad Cities before becoming a major champion.

The John Deere Classic doesn’t just crown champions. It introduces future stars.

The Best Week in Golf for Charity

If championships are measured by impact, the John Deere Classic quietly outperforms many of the sport’s biggest events.

The tournament has raised well over $170 million for charity, making it one of the most successful charitable events in professional golf history.

That impact reaches throughout the Quad Cities region and beyond, turning a single week of golf into a year-round force for good.

In an era where sports leagues increasingly talk about “community engagement,” the John Deere Classic doesn’t just talk about it — it delivers.

A Course That Demands Birdies — and Nerves

Majors are known for brutal difficulty, but greatness in golf can also come from pressure-packed scoring.

At TPC Deere Run, the winning score often pushes past 20-under-par. That means constant aggression, late charges, and Sunday leaderboards packed with players making birdies.

The result? One of the most entertaining finishes on the PGA TOUR calendar nearly every year.

It’s not survival golf. It’s shootout golf.

And fans love it.

Golf’s Most Underrated Atmosphere

While many TOUR stops feel transactional, the John Deere Classic has a sense of belonging.

Players routinely praise the hospitality. Families return year after year. Volunteers number in the thousands.

For many pros, it’s one of the most enjoyable weeks of the season — even if it doesn’t yet carry the prestige of the majors.

Maybe that’s the real argument.

The best tournaments in golf shouldn’t just be the hardest or the richest. They should be the ones players and fans genuinely love.

A Different Kind of “Fifth Major”

The truth is, the John Deere Classic will probably never be officially labeled a major.

But maybe that’s beside the point.

Majors represent the best of golf. Tradition. Competition. Community. History.

By those standards, the John Deere Classic already belongs in the conversation.

Golf may already have a fifth major.

It just happens to be in the cornfields of Illinois.

If It’s Not Scottie or Rory, Who Wins THE PLAYERS?

Every year at The Players Championship, the conversation usually starts with two names: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

And for good reason. Scheffler has been the most dominant player in the world over the last two seasons, while McIlroy’s power and experience make him a threat every time he tees it up at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course.

But let’s make things interesting.

If you can’t pick Scheffler or McIlroy, who is the best bet to win golf’s unofficial “fifth major”?

My pick: Collin Morikawa.

Why Morikawa Fits Sawgrass

TPC Sawgrass isn’t a course that simply rewards power. Precision is everything. Players must control their ball off the tee, hit exact iron distances, and avoid the water lurking on nearly every hole.

That’s exactly where Morikawa thrives.

Few players in the world strike their irons as purely as the two-time major champion. His ability to consistently hit greens and attack pins makes him perfectly suited for a course that punishes even slight mistakes.

If the putter cooperates for four days, Morikawa has the type of tee-to-green game that can separate him from the field.

Momentum Matters

Form heading into The Players often tells a story. Morikawa has been trending in the right direction, stacking strong finishes and looking increasingly comfortable with his game.

Confidence can be a powerful weapon at Sawgrass, where momentum can shift quickly and players must stay patient through a demanding layout.

If Morikawa keeps giving himself birdie chances with his irons, he’ll be in the mix when the tournament reaches the pressure cooker of Sunday afternoon.

A Few Names to Watch

Even beyond Morikawa, there are several players who feel primed for a run at The Players.

Ludvig Åberg continues to look like a future superstar and has the ball-striking ability to dominate any course.

Akshay Bhatia enters with serious momentum after his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, showing he’s capable of closing against elite competition.

And then there’s Tommy Fleetwood, whose all-around game and experience in big events make him a dangerous contender whenever the stage gets bigger.

The Prediction

Sawgrass always produces a little chaos. Water, wind, and pressure have a way of creating dramatic Sundays.

But if it’s not Scheffler.

And it’s not McIlroy.

Don’t be surprised if Collin Morikawa is the one lifting the trophy on the 18th green.

And if that happens, it likely comes with a winning score somewhere around 13- or 14-under par — right in the sweet spot for a classic Players Championship finish.

Service First: Woodlake Country Club Earns No. 2 Spot Among America’s Friendliest Golf Courses

North Carolina club builds its reputation on culture, training, and genuine hospitality

Being recognized as one of the friendliest golf courses in the country doesn’t happen by accident. It requires the right culture, consistent training, and a staff committed to creating memorable experiences for every golfer who walks through the door.

That formula is clearly working at Woodlake Country Club in Vass, North Carolina.

The club, operated by Bobby Jones Links, was recently ranked No. 2 on GolfPass’ “America’s 25 Friendliest Public Golf Courses – Golfers’ Choice 2026.” The recognition is based on golfer reviews and reflects a commitment to hospitality that the staff has worked hard to build.

For general manager Jeff Crabbe, the honor was both validating and a bit surprising.

“Our staff from top to bottom goes above and beyond,” Crabbe said. “So I won’t say I was completely surprised, but when I got the email, it was still a great moment. It really validated the hard work our team puts in every day.”

The GolfPass list highlights courses where exceptional service keeps golfers coming back “round after round,” much like the best restaurants and small businesses rely on customer loyalty.

Reviews of Woodlake on GolfPass reflect that reputation.

“All the staff were super nice and very helpful,” one golfer wrote. “The layout is beautiful and the facilities were top-notch. Can’t say enough about it. Highly recommend it.”

A Club Reimagined

Woodlake already had a compelling story long before the recognition.

In 2016, Hurricane Matthew devastated the region and effectively wiped out the lake that once defined the course. The damage forced the club to rethink its future. After a complete renovation and reopening a little more than two years ago, Woodlake has emerged stronger than ever.

The course now operates as a private club with limited public access, welcoming both members and visiting golfers through public tee times and golf packages. Regardless of how players arrive, the goal is the same: treat everyone like a VIP.

And the experience is expected to improve even further when the lake restoration project is completed in the coming years.

A Service Philosophy by Design

Woodlake’s reputation for hospitality is part of a broader philosophy shared by all facilities managed by Bobby Jones Links, an Atlanta-based company that operates roughly three dozen golf properties across the country.

Central to that philosophy is a training program known as the “Member Journey,” or the “Customer Journey” at public facilities.

Allyson Kahl Darling, vice president of experiences for Bobby Jones Links, travels to each property overseeing the programs that shape both team member and guest experiences.

“The Member Journey is our service delivery roadmap,” Kahl Darling said. “We customize it for every property because each club is unique.”

While technical training and operational procedures remain important, she says the company focuses heavily on service training—how employees interact with guests and shape the overall experience.

“Our service training programs are designed around the full guest experience and the entire member journey,” she said. “We emphasize thoughtful, consistent care from the first interaction to the final farewell.”

The goal is to elevate every touchpoint along that journey.

“We want our team members to be genuine,” she said. “It’s not about pushing people through the club. It’s about creating real interactions and meaningful moments.”

Sometimes those moments come from the simplest gestures.

“It can be as basic as making sure a guest walks in and immediately sees a staff member who makes eye contact, smiles, and steps out from behind the counter to greet them,” she said.

Service Starts Before the First Tee

At Woodlake, customer service begins well before golfers hit their first shot.

Bag drop attendants do more than load clubs onto carts. They’re encouraged to interact with guests, learn names, and look for conversation starters—anything from a college logo on a bag tag to a favorite sports team.

The idea is to connect with golfers personally, understanding when they want conversation and when they simply want to enjoy the day.

“Our more experienced staff members take newer team members under their wing,” Crabbe said. “They teach the work ethic and best practices that help create a great customer experience.”

That attention to detail carries through every part of the operation—from the golf shop to the restaurant and back to the bag drop after the round, where staff members unload bags and clean clubs.

“The points of contact that really matter—customer service from the parking lot to the golf shop to the first tee—those are constants for our team,” Crabbe said.

The Right People Make the Difference

Even with training programs in place, Crabbe believes the biggest factor behind Woodlake’s reputation is simply the people who work there.

One recent example illustrated that perfectly.

A golfer who had booked a round through GolfNow drove nearly 90 minutes from Greensboro, only to realize he had forgotten his putter. While checking in, he mentioned the problem to golf shop attendant Baxter Billingsley.

Without hesitation, Billingsley offered a solution.

“Hey, I’ve got my clubs in my car,” he told the golfer. “Let me go grab my putter.”

The golfer offered to pay or leave his driver’s license as collateral. Billingsley declined.

“He just told him, ‘I don’t need anything. When you finish, just bring it back,’” Crabbe recalled.

“It was just thinking on your feet and doing the right thing,” he said. “That was a really cool moment.”

Creating Memorable Experiences

At its core, the Bobby Jones Links service philosophy centers on a few key principles:
Every guest interaction matters, from arrival to departure.
Team members are encouraged to engage warmly and authentically.
Staff focus on awareness, anticipation, proactive service, and empathy.
Operational efficiency matters—but genuine connections matter more.
The goal is simple: ensure every guest feels welcomed, valued, and cared for.

That approach, Kahl Darling says, is exactly why Woodlake earned its recognition.

“They absolutely earned it,” she said. “We’re very proud of our team and our partnership with them.”

For Crabbe, the philosophy comes down to one simple mindset shared across the staff.

“It doesn’t matter what your title is,” he said. “Woodlake Country Club is on all of our titles. We all do whatever we can to make people want to come here—and want to come back.”