I have a few Dutch websites ranked purely on international links. Not a single Dutch backlink. So I don't believe in the claims above.
Just make sure your onsite SEO is 10/10, everything is indexed and then start the backlinking with your keyword in many variations as hyperlink.
Example keyword: Midget Golf Amsterdam
Try to only make your strongest (5-10%) backlinks exact match: 'midget golf amsterdam'
The rest just use a mix of similar keywords like: "where to play midget golf in Amsterdam?'' or ''best midget golf places in amsterdam"
I am no SEO guru, but the above has not failed me. I don't end up on #1 in Google, but top 5 is achievable for me like this on 'low/mid comp keywords'
goodluck op