Social activitities
The Palingbeek has long enjoyed a reputation as a friendly and welcoming club. In part this is due to the light and spacious clubhouse, which creates just the right atmosphere of elegant informality. In the main, however, it is due to the members themselves and to the fact that the vast majority come from the same social and professional background. The result is that everybody very quickly knows everybody else and this gives an added swing to the club’s numerous social and recreational activities. Prize givings and receptions after competitions are inevitably well attended, as are the two main set-piece social functions, the Annual Dinner in March and the Closing Dinner in December. Less formal dinners and barbecues are regularly held throughout the year and can be guaranteed to last well into the wee small hours. Out on the course, the more serious competitions are mixed with a number of “fun” events – such as the Santa Claus tournament – and there are also opportunities for non-golfers, family and friends to take part in light-hearted contests. For the cerebrally minded there is a bridge club, whilst the more energetic frequently arrange bike rides through the scenic Flemish hill country.
From time to time special events are organised, such as rules evenings, art exhibitions or “guided tours”, which highlight the environmental and historical (World War One) richness of the Palingbeek and its surroundings. With all this going on, it’s a wonder that there is any time left over to play golf!