From development track to golf course

On busy days, as many as 50.000 balls are hit at the driving range of Golfbaan Delfland in Schipluiden. Many of these balls end up in the water. Two employees, who came through from a development position at Werkse!.

With 121 hectares, 36 holes, and extensive practice facilities, the golf course is one of the largest in the Netherlands. "In terms of driving range, with 9.000.000 balls teed off in 2021, it's even one of the busiest in Europe," says Vincent Kok. He is responsible for the marketing and coordination of the driving range. He also manages the two employees who work through the course. Werkse! were able to work at the golf course.

Development job
“In their development path at Werkse! Raymond and Sami were both coincidentally active in green maintenance,” says Eveline Koster, account manager at Werkse!. “During such a development job, people gain experience and get used to a work rhythm. As soon as possible, someone moves on to a permanent, paid job outside Werkse!.” Raymond and Sami both turned out to be 'handymen'. Eveline: “Raymond has had a contract with Golfbaan Delfland since the fall of 2021 and Sami since the end of winter. My colleague Mathieu Kramer now guides Raymond and Sami as a job coach from Werkse!".

Green keeping
Raymond and Sami's primary responsibility is maintaining the driving range and getting the balls out of the water. Raymond: "It's pretty hard work, fishing those balls out of the water. Now we're getting a machine, which will make things easier." Together with others, they also take care of the greenkeeping. This is important, because the balls need to roll smoothly. Maintaining the golf course doesn't just mean carefully mowing the course; it also involves raking the sand bunkers and pruning the undergrowth.

Raymond: “You have the freedom and you are outside. I don't mind the cold.” He likes working with Sami, because: “I know what I can expect from him. We have also worked together in green maintenance from Werkse!.” Half a word is enough on both sides.

Already happened
"Sometimes I go for a walk myself," says Vincent. "If I run into Raymond an hour later and ask if he wants to do this or that, he says, 'It's already been done.' He thinks things through and makes sure the necessary work gets done." Raymond's technical skills are a valuable asset in a business like the golf course. "He takes a lot of work and worry off my hands. I used to get a call on the weekend if there was a malfunction somewhere. Now those calls go directly to Raymond."

Everyone welcome
At our course here in Delfland, it's 'Pay & Play'. While others give priority to their members or turn away people who have never played golf, everyone is welcome here. We want to be accessible and believe it's important that people feel at home here. All our employees are committed to this and help out wherever needed. With a well-equipped golf shop and a cozy brasserie, it's a real business. "We have 35 permanent employees, plus 50 to 60 on-call staff. We also have volunteers, our marshals, who drive around the course in golf carts as hosts or hostesses, ready to assist people." He adds: "If you know anyone, please let us know. We can always use on-call staff."