Royal Antwerp: 2026 Update
Belgium's oldest golf club is also one of its best, a Tom Simpson heathland course laid out among heather and pine at Kapellen. Here is where Royal Antwerp stands in 2026, the history behind it, and how to play it this season.
The news: history and quality in equal measure
Royal Antwerp was founded in 1888, making it the oldest golf club in Belgium and one of the oldest on the European mainland, and it remains one of the country's finest courses into 2026. The club moved to its present home at Kapellen, in the wooded country north of Antwerp, in the early 1910s, and the course there has the pedigree to match the history.
The story for 2026 is one of a classic course in steady, careful hands rather than upheaval. The members continue to protect the wooded heathland character that makes the place special, and the course plays as a reminder that some of continental Europe's best golf is also among its most historic. For travelling golfers it is a natural anchor for a short Belgian trip.
The course, and the architects behind it
The course began as a Willie Park Junior layout from around 1913, but its enduring character comes from Tom Simpson, who redesigned and expanded it to twenty seven holes about 1930 after the club acquired more land. The main eighteen is a par 73 wooded heathland course, its sandy soiled fairways weaving through heather and pine, with the strategic bunkering and clever green sites that mark out Simpson's best work.
Royal Antwerp sits within easy reach of Belgium's other leading clubs, so it slots neatly into a trip alongside courses such as Royal Zoute on the coast and Ravenstein near Brussels. For a golfer who values architecture and history together, it is one of the most rewarding rounds in the country.
How to play it in 2026
Royal Antwerp is a private members club that welcomes visiting golfers, typically by arrangement and most easily on weekdays, so it rewards a little planning rather than a walk up. The heathland turf plays best from late spring to early autumn, roughly May to September, when the course is at its firmest and the heather is in its element.
A 2026 Belgian golf trip pairs Royal Antwerp comfortably with the country's other top courses over a few days, easily reached from Antwerp or Brussels and well placed for visitors arriving from the United Kingdom or the Netherlands. Green fees, dress code and visitor access can change, so always confirm the details directly with the club before travelling, and treat any quoted figure as indicative for 2026.
Our take
Our take is that Royal Antwerp is essential for any golfer who enjoys classic heathland architecture and the sense of history that comes with the oldest club in a country. The Simpson course is a genuine treat, understated and strategic, and it more than holds its own against better known names elsewhere in Europe.
For 2026 the advice is to build it into a short Belgian tour rather than treating it as a one off, arrange the round in advance, and time it for the late spring to early autumn window. Combined with Royal Zoute and the leading Brussels area courses, it makes the case that Belgium is an underrated golf destination worth a few days.
Plan your Belgium golf trip
From Royal Antwerp's Tom Simpson heathland to Royal Zoute and the Brussels courses, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, arranging access through the right channels, with no obligation.
Questions
How old is Royal Antwerp Golf Club?
Royal Antwerp was founded in 1888, which makes it the oldest golf club in Belgium and one of the oldest on the European mainland. The club moved to its present site at Kapellen, north of Antwerp, in the early 1910s, where Willie Park Junior laid out the original course before Tom Simpson reworked and expanded it into twenty seven holes around 1930.
Who designed the Royal Antwerp course?
The course at Kapellen began as a Willie Park Junior design from around 1913 and was then redesigned and extended by the celebrated architect Tom Simpson about 1930, when the club added land to create twenty seven holes. The main eighteen is a wooded heathland course of par 73, with sandy soiled fairways weaving through heather and pine, a classic Simpson layout.
How do you play Royal Antwerp in 2026?
Royal Antwerp is a private members club that welcomes visiting golfers, typically by arrangement and most easily on weekdays. It plays best from late spring to early autumn, roughly May to September, when the heathland turf is at its best. It pairs naturally with Belgium's other leading courses for a short golf trip. Confirm visitor access, dress code and green fees directly with the club before travelling.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Club history, design credits and course facts verified June 2026 from club, ranking panel and golf travel sources; Royal Antwerp was founded in 1888, the oldest club in Belgium, with a course originally by Willie Park Junior and redesigned to twenty seven holes by Tom Simpson around 1930. Access rules, dress code and green fees change, so always confirm directly before travelling. Last reviewed June 2026.