Professional golfer
Daan Huizing on the
importance of sports technology

As a professional golfer, Daan Huizing sees the impact of technology on sports up close. Since 2022, he has been an investor at Dutch Sport Tech Fund. “At tournaments, I see the influence technology has on the sport and how essential it is for improving our performance and providing a more engaging viewing experience for sports fans around the world.”

Starting on the green fields of Golf Society De Lage Vuursche, Huizing has developed from a young talent into a professional at an international level. “My passion for golf began at the TNT Dutch Open in 2002, when I was 12 years old. By winning 12 (inter)national tournaments between 2010 and 2012, I became the number 1 amateur player in Europe and on the Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking. As a result, on October 22, 2012, exactly on my 22nd birthday, I turned professional.”

When Huizing is in the Netherlands, he trains at The Dutch in Spijk, where he also came into contact with the Dutch Sport Tech Fund. For Huizing, investing in sports technology is not only a passion but also a necessity. “I think it’s very important to start investing early, given the uncertainty of professional sports careers.” Through his connection with Erik van der Maarel and the Dutch Sport Tech Fund, he has found a platform to contribute to the future of sports technology.

Huizing emphasizes how technology has become an indispensable part of modern sports practice and experience. From advanced analysis and measurement equipment to interactive apps for training and betting: technology offers athletes and fans new ways to grow and enjoy sports. “Technological progress enables us to refine our performance and create a deeper connection with the audience,” says Huizing.

“An important aspect of technology in golf is its ability to attract younger generations. Through innovative tracking and broadcasting technologies, fans can follow every shot with a precision that was previously unthinkable, making the viewing experience at home more vivid and interactive.”

Within the DSTF portfolio, ZEST.GOLF is a great example of innovation in the world of golf. As an independent party, ZEST.GOLF does not sell or negotiate directly, but offers a platform where golf courses, booking sites, and travel providers can do business. With this, DSTF invests in technologies that not only improve the sport itself, but also the way sporting experiences are organized and offered. Creating a more efficient and user-friendly ecosystem for golfers worldwide is an important part of the digital transformation in the sports world.

For Huizing, the future of golf is inextricably linked to technological innovation. He believes that by investing in sports technology, golf can be made more appealing to younger generations and that the sport can continue to grow in popularity and reach. “Technology makes it possible to transform the way we experience golf, from how we train to how fans follow the sport,” says Huizing. With his investment, he hopes to contribute to these developments and ensure that the sport continues to evolve.