By: Fred Altvater
Returning golf to its roots, using clubs and balls popular during golf’s golden age in the 1920’s, is the mission of the Michigan Hickory Tour. The tour is comprised of golfers, who play with hickory clubs, just as they were prior to 1935. The tour requires no membership fees and all interested golfers are encouraged to join their monthly events, plus loaners are available.
The Michigan Hickory Tour is one of the largest hickory playing groups in the country. It is affiliated with both the Society of Hickory Golfers and Auld Golf Society, following the appropriate rules and guidelines for each event.
Michigan Hickory Tour members competed in the Toledo Hickory Open on Sunday, August 6th at the historic Ottawa Park Golf Course, the perfect venue for a Hickory event. The course was the first public golf course to open west of New York City in 1898 and at 5,400 yards from the back tees, the length is receptive to the old-style equipment.
Six players even played gutty golf with pre-1900, smooth face and long nose clubs using gutta percha balls in the morning.
The Toledo Hickory Open was held in the afternoon with 15 players competing in threesomes using only 1920’s era equipment. John Cova posted an impressive 77 to capture low gross honors with runner up Bill Tucholski carding a 79.
To win the net division, Gary Trapani took the honors, posting a gross score of 88, net 64. Cova and Tucholski both had a net of 66 for a tie for runner-up.
The players retired to Bar Louie, where the socializing continued, as well as, Michigan Hickory Tour members traded and inspected equipment, well into the evening hours. One of the highlights of any Hickory Tournament is the social aspect among the competitors, plus the inspection of hickory golf clubs and swapping among members after the event.
When golf grew to prominence in a more gentile era, there were no million-dollar purses and golfers didn’t fly around the world in private jets. It was originally meant to be a means for gentlemen to enjoy a game in the peaceful surroundings of a well-designed golf course.
The Michigan Hickory Tour has events scheduled throughout September and October concluding the season with the 14th annual Mid-Pines Hickory Open, to be held November 10-12 at the iconic Donald Ross designed club in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
If you appreciate the history of golf and would like to know more or join in the festivities visit: https://michiganhickory.com/
