Golf tournament KLM Open postponed due to Extinction Rebellion protest, police on site

Extinction Rebellion climate action delayed the fourth and final round of the KLM Open in Badhoevedorp. XR activists blocked the entrance to the International Golf Club, where the most important golf tournament in the Netherlands takes place.

XR explained that they protest against fossil sponsorship in sports. "With fossil sponsors such as KLM, Tata, Schiphol, and Audi, the KLM Open contributed to sportswashing: they use the sport to 'polish' their bad reputation. The KLM Open is paid for by big polluters who cause victims worldwide," said XR.

Furthermore, XR spokesperson Emile Sprenger hinted that the golf tournament was a greenwashing event. "The tournament likes to present itself as the 'most sustainable sporting event in the Netherlands,' but in no way lives up to this pretentious title with fossil sponsorship money. Every day, the fossil fuel industry pushes us further into the disastrous climate and ecological crisis. It is ironic that major fossil polluters such as KLM and Tata sponsor a 'green' golf tournament."

The organizers of the golf tournament announced that the start time of the competition had been postponed by two hours for the higher-ranked golfers "due to the circumstances." The ten lowest-ranked golfers have already been on their final round since 7 a.m.

The police are present the XR protest at the KLM Open and will "act when necessary," a spokeswoman said. However, this is not the case yet, she stated.

A spokeswoman for the municipality of Haarlemmermeer confirms the two-hour postponement. "We will wait and see. We have good contact with XR. They will have to leave at some point," the spokesperson said. According to her, the triangle (mayor, police, and public prosecutor) considers whether intervention is necessary at any time.