We met Kurt at La Bawette Golf Club for this interview. Our President, Christian Ehlers, presented him with the new club polo shirt as a gift from the Committee!

1. Kurt, you’re now in your 90s and the oldest member of the EU-Golf Club! Could you tell us a little about yourself—when did you start playing golf, and what have been the highlights of your golfing career?

After completing my vocational training at Bayer in Germany, I worked as an engineer before joining the European Commission as a scientific official in the nuclear sector, first in Cadarache (southern France) and later in Brussels.

Sports have always been a big part of my life. I played football in school and later through company teams, but as I wasn’t the biggest or strongest, I eventually struggled to keep up. I then switched to volleyball and later tennis, though health issues eventually made those difficult as well. Just before retiring at nearly 60, I stumbled upon a beginner’s golf programme at La Bawette—and that changed everything!

I was one of three beginners in the group, and the only one who stuck with it long enough to earn my golf licence. Once the golf bug bit, I wanted to play every day—and retirement gave me the time to do just that. Over the years, I’ve played on courses across the USA, Germany, Italy, the UK, Ireland (with the EU-Golf Club), Belgium, and France. But La Bawette has always felt like home.

My lowest handicap was 13.9, and some of my proudest moments include my first birdie and my first hole-in-one (I’ve had four in total!).

2. How long have you been a member of the EU-Golf Club, and how has club life changed over the years?

I joined the EU-Golf Club around 30 years ago, in 1996, shortly after achieving a handicap of 36, and I’ve been a member ever since. As a long-standing member of the Kiwanis Club Bruxelles Europe, I’ve also co-organised an annual charity golf tournament with the EU-Golf Club for many years, supporting disadvantaged foster children in Belgium. Having been a refugee child myself—born in Latvia—this cause is particularly close to my heart.

How has club life changed? Golf used to be far more elitist, with stricter etiquette—both on the course and at prize-giving ceremonies. Dress codes were more formal, and the overall atmosphere was less relaxed. Today, things are much more casual, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing!

For me, the sport itself has always been the priority—less so the quality of the club restaurant.

3. Do you still play golf actively? And what advice would you give younger members to stay fit and enjoy the game for as long as possible?

Until recently, I played nine holes three times a week. Three years ago, I had surgery on my neck vertebrae—the first operation of my life—which set me back temporarily. However, I recovered well and now play regularly with a group of older golfers at La Bawette on Mondays. We also organise social activities off the course, which keeps things enjoyable.

My tips for longevity in golf (and life):

  • Good genes and a healthy lifestyle are key. I’ve never smoked, and while living in France, I adopted a balanced approach to food and drink—wine in moderation has always been part of my routine, but never in excess.
  • Stay active without overdoing it. I don’t follow a strict fitness regime; I simply play golf at a pace that suits me, avoiding unnecessary strain.
  • Maintain a positive mindset. Whether in golf or life, I always see the glass as half full, never half empty. Enjoyment is just as important as performance.

Thank you for the new club polo! I’m looking forward to joining another EU-Golf Club tournament soon.