The road to SOUDAL OPEN 2025 lies open

The central role of the greenkeeper at the Belgian golf landmark event

2025 will see the fourth edition of Soudal Open, the Belgian leg of the DP World Tour. It seems a long way off, but the beloved landmark event for golf fans and players is an organizational feat that comes with considerable preparation. One of the challenges is keeping the quality of the fields on-and-top, and dedicated greenkeepers guarantee that. 

Where golf dreams come true

Soudal Open is a major international golf tournament held in Flanders since 2022 at the Rinkven International Golf Club in Schilde, a beautiful 36-hole course in a green setting. With the continued growth of Belgian golf, the top performances of Belgian stars on the Tour, and the emergence of up-and-coming talent, organizer Golazo wants to promote the sport through the permanent presence of a DP World Tour event in Flanders.

"With a world-renowned sponsor like Soudal and with the professionalism of Golazo, every year we have all the assets for an extraordinary tournament," says Michael Jones, tournament director. "Not only for the Belgian and international golf fans, but also for the players. We are grateful for the +15,000 visitors in 2024, a good number of TV viewers, our followers on social media and the countless fine comments. The return of the DP World Tour to Belgium was already a success on many levels, and every edition we go for even better together with Golazo."

"True, that's what we are committed to," said Valentine Logé, project manager at Golazo. "The date and location are not yet fixed, but the program and lineup promise to be spectacular. The tournament will be played in a classic four-day format. It is a unique opportunity for golf fans to see the best European players at work in a stylish setting, while business visitors can also network atmospherically."  

Good job conditions

Invaluable to the prestigious Soudal Open are the course conditions. Golf course management year-round is essential. "We are guided by an agronomist, a crop technician who specializes in sustainable golf course maintenance," reports Michael Jones. "We've already had a very wet year. The agronomist evaluates the course over the winter and advises us. Environmental legislation, air circulation, sunlight, water management ... all count to make an event like Soudal Open a success. And the role of greenkeepers in this is invaluable. Greenkeepers do not sit still until spring or summer arrives. It is daily work to get and keep the golf courses ready for play." 

Greenkeeper Simon Vercammen on the course conditions in 2024: "The third time the Soudal Open descended on Rinkven has provided the necessary know-how to get the course up to top level. The preparatory work in the months before should not be underestimated. They were long working days. With our skilled and driven team, we kept as tight a schedule as possible, with an eye on uniformity in often extremely wet conditions. Every dry day was used to the maximum to perform essential operations. Our final goal is to obtain a tight layout, healthy soil and closed turf every time. That we were able to provide professional golfers with a perfectly playable course, despite a sopping wet week, gives us the greatest satisfaction."

"At Rinkven International Golf Club, we can count on a great team of greenkeepers with expertise throughout the year," adds Valentine Logé. "Together, we are always looking for better ways to deploy the desired resources and machinery as efficiently as possible to ensure a well-maintained environment for the players. The greenkeepers prepare the course months in advance, paying specific attention to the conditions of the greens and fairways. This includes adjusting mowing heights, improving drainage, and planning special maintenance schedules to get the course in top condition at tournament time. During Soudal Open 2024, players' reactions were rave, and this promises to attract top players for 2025 as well." 

The place to be for every greenkeeper

Renaud Leroy has been a greenkeeper at Soudal Open before, and he talks about this special experience. "Participating in Soudal Open means contributing to a project that takes Belgian golf to the highest level. On a personal level, it gives you the chance to meet other golf lovers and experience incredible moments behind closed doors for more than a week. It is an opportunity to learn about the best methods to maintain golf courses and to spar with peers. Highly recommended for any greenkeeper."

Timothy Bruneel of the greenkeepers team at Rinkven International Golf Club can only agree. "Being able to experience Soudal Open as a greenkeeper is fantastic. You come into contact with passionate colleagues from home and abroad. During the event, the agronomist of DP World Tour is present and you get a lot of tips & tricks. Ideal to learn and implement on your own golf course. We even had people from Italy, Spain and Sweden in 2024. Maybe next year one of our greenkeepers will go to the Italian Open at Argentario Golf club. That's what you do it for. So don't hesitate, really do it. You will see that it is a learning and fun experience that can only benefit you."

Interested in being a greenkeeper during Soudal Open 2025, and doing so to the standards of a top international tournament? Be sure to apply. You get a lot in return, such as the complete experience of a DP World Tour competition, a stylish Soudal Open clothing package, a framed diploma 'Official greenkeeper Soudal Open' and much more. You can also count on the necessary guidance. Get in touch via
info@soudalopen.be for more info.  

"During the event we are doubling the team in charge of golf course maintenance," concludes Michael Jones. "We need about 30 greenkeepers, so here's a warm call to be part of a magical golf event."