Last Friday it was announced that TU/e will make the land at Sportpark De Hondsheuvels available to the municipality for the construction of 750 student housing units. Student sports associations De Club and Hajraa understand the urgency and will not stand in the way, but they do foresee significant challenges.

Lars van Kolck, chair of De Club, says his golf association sensed trouble when they were invited by the Executive Board the Wednesday before the press announcement. “Vice-chair Patrick Groothuis explained the housing shortage problem and that this is a solution. But I don’t see it as positively as the university presents it publicly. The university wants to help us, but we don’t yet know what that help will look like.”

Van Kolck expects the golf course itself to be better at the new location, but he worries about the student club atmosphere. “Will we still be able to hold our monthly barbecues there? Will sports card holders still be able to play for free? Will we keep the flexible and affordable hospitality policy for our members?”

Student night

De Club is currently the only (student) golf association located within a city. “And we’re the only club where you can play in the dark, because the course is lit. Tongelreep doesn’t have that; their website shows that opening hours depend on daylight.”

De Club’s main wishes are to have one evening per week exclusively for students and to ensure that hospitality facilities remain available and affordable. “We also hope we can bring our trainer and volunteers with us, that we’ll be allowed to organize events and reserve courses for competitions. I’d like clarity and formal agreements on paper before I feel reassured.”