Bovelander played 241 international matches for The Netherlands, scored a total number of 216 goals and participated in three Olympics. He made his debut on October 2, 1985 in a friendly match against New Zealand. He was famous for his devastating penalty corner, and was nicknamedFlop, Floppie and Boem Boem Bovelander. Bovelander retired after the Atlanta Games. All throughout his career he played for the Dutch club Bloemendaal, with whom he won the Dutch title six times.