Organising an international golf tournament takes more than sport. Behind the scenes, everything comes down to logistics, planning and teamwork. At The International golf course in Amsterdam, hundreds of transports, dozens of suppliers and temporary facilities come together on a site where every movement matters
4 weeks, 500 transports, 1 access road
Project manager Jip Wagenmans has coordinated the full build-up of the KLM Open for 6 years. “The golf club stays open until the Saturday before the tournament. All parking areas are still in use, while we prepare the course with an average of 400 to 500 transports through 1 entrance and exit.”
At the same time, the course must stay in perfect condition. That is why all parties involved plan every step carefully. This keeps the location safe and efficient for visitors, players and suppliers.
25 units, 1 logistics hub
For the event, Boels Rental supplies linked modular units, toilet units and storage containers, among other equipment. In total, around 25 units are placed on the site.
The back of house is the logistics hub of the media village. This is where suppliers, machinery and facilities come together.
Project manager Dré Hermans explains: “Most of the machinery and units are located there. Everything comes together in that place. That requires tight coordination, because all deliveries must take place within a short timeframe.”
Switching fast when plans change
At an event of this size, plans can change at the last minute. That is when flexibility makes the difference. During a previous edition, an aircraft had to be placed on a Giant. A crane truck, however, could not access the golf course without causing damage.
Wagenmans says: “We had to switch quickly with Boels at the last minute to hire a mini crane. That allowed us to place the aircraft on time, so the tournament could start as planned. Those kinds of solutions really make the difference.”
Preparation determines the result
According to both the organisers and Boels Rental, a successful event starts with thorough preparation. Wagenmans: “Boels stands out because they can manage the full project. From preparation together with us to execution on site. That means we can switch quickly and know that everything is properly arranged.”
Thanks to thorough preparation, short communication lines and the right machinery and facilities, the build-up of the KLM Open runs according to plan every year. This allows players, visitors and the organisation to focus fully on what matters most: a successful tournament.
