The 2026 Opening Cup - NGC in Flanders Fields

Palenbeek GC, 12 September 2026

Julian Lindley-French

NGC walked in the footsteps of heroes at Palenbeek Golf Club.  Nine of us played in respect on the Ypres battlefield where so many of our compatriots gave their lives in World War One and World War Two.  At times it was hard to see what was golf course and what were the scars of war.  It was not just a pleasure. It was an honour and privilege.

It was perhaps fitting that honours were shared between a German and a Briton.  Katrin took both the Opening Cup and the longest drive (juniors) competition.  Many congratulations, Katrin! At least you kept the ball on the fairway! 

The champ and long drive winner!!! Congrats Katrin!!

The trophy didn't quite make the trip to Palingbeek!!

Vice-Captain Julian Lindley-French took the longest drive (seniors) and the closest to the pin competition after plonking a drive a metre from Hole 14.

Vice Captain JLF - first winner of the Senior's Long Drive!

We also said goodbye to our friend, Ramon. A friend and a gentleman, Ramon is headed back to Washington DC after winning recognition as the day's best putter.  We wish him every success and happiness. Don’t be a stranger Ramon!

Ramon - Best putter of the day!

Before the presentation and armed with good Belgian beer and a rather strange pink concoction Skipper Trevor was drinking, we paused for a moment.  We cast our minds to the many tens of thousands of young men who were killed where we played.  Sometimes golf can seem like hard yards but each step we took we took across the hardest yards imaginable. 

Cheers Don! Well earned with a 2nd place finish!!

At the top of the course lie the remains of soldiers of the 11th Battalion (Lewisham) Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. On July 31 1917, Lt Osmond Pickard Brown was one of them.  He and his many colleagues were killed assaulting what is today the Twelfth Green during what has become known as the Third Battle of Ypres. A battle more widely known as Passchendaele, a name seared into the history of all Canadians.

Just over a century later a Briton, German, and Canadian, two of them military men, enjoying each other’s company remembered the fallen of our nations – Europeans and North Americans alike.  Together in golf and the NATO Golf Club.

The site of a daring Canadian daylight trench raid.

A British armoured chassis from 1940... layers of history!

It was a poignant day, a wonderful day, a golf day on a beautiful course where peace has replaced war. NGC in Flanders Fields. Once enemies, forever friends!

-JLF