The 2012 Championship Series
The 2012 Championship Series is expanding to include six of the most exciting and challenging hickory golf events available. Sponsored by Mountain Valley Spring Water, which is proud to associate its premium water with a “premium golf experience,” the six events comprise the most anticipated hickory series of 2012. The 2011 CS came down to wire with the title in contention until the final event in Mid Pines, N.C. Information on the six events is currently being finalized. Check back often for registration and other updates.
The Southern Hickory 4-Ball Championship
The first stop in the Championship Series, Tad Moore’s Southern 4-Ball Championship is the perfect way to start off the series. The event has been a popular hickory golf fixture in the "Deep South" with beautiful mansions and lovely countryside. The event will be played at the historic Highland Park Golf Course in Birmingham, Ala. Built in 1903, the course – par 70 at 5,800 yards – has hosted many important events and was the site of a Bobby Jones victory when he was 14 years old. The stately Tutwiler Hotel in downtown Birmingham is again planned for the official accommodation. For a wrap-up of the 2011 event, check the Tournament Results pages of this website.
For more information and to register for the 2012 event, click here.
Contacts: Email Tad Moore or Keith Cleveland.
The Belvedere Hickory Open
The Belvedere Hickory Open is a new addition to the Championship Series for 2012. This is a wonderful hickory event in the lovely lake setting of Charlevoix in northern Michigan. The course was designed in 1925 and was home to a young Tom Watson whose father was a member. Fee includes a Thursday, June 21 practice round, two tournament rounds, daily range balls, tournament favors, lunch at the turn on both Friday and Saturday afternoons, and complimentary celebratory cocktails after each tournament round. There will also be a “Welcome Party” on Thursday evening and a heavy hors d’oeuvres party with entertainment at the Belvedere Clubhouse on Friday evening. On Saturday evening the Belvedere Club will host a coat and tie dinner at the Belvedere “Casino.” This is a resort setting that is friendly, warm and accommodating in one of Michigan's most beautiful areas.
Click here to download the invitation letter and registration form.
For a wrap-up of the 2011 event, check the Tournament Results pages of this website.
Contact: Dennis "Marty" Joy at golfdenny@yahoo.com
231-675-2241
Heart of America Hickory Championship
The second leg of the Championship Series will be the 35th annual Heart of America hickory championship held at the Elmwood Golf Course and the Happy Hollow Club in Omaha, Neb. This event is said to be the oldest continuously held hickory tournament in the world. In 2011, participants enjoyed golf Friday at Elmwood and a trade show and reception at Randy Jensen’s shop, Classic Golf, in Omaha. Open, senior, scramble and ladies divisions. Happy Hollow was built in 1907 and is one of the premier courses in the American midwest. Cost will be in the $250 range and includes Friday reception and lunch (or dinner) following the Saturday round. Detailed information posted on web sites in spring 2012. For a wrap-up of the 2011 event, check the Tournament Results pages of this website. For information on next year's tournament, please contact Bill Reed at Wreedassociates@aol.com or call him at 515-490-5159. Tournament information and registration information will appear here, when available.
The U.S. Hickory Open
This is a major hickory event of the United States and is part of the Championship Series sponsored by Mountain Valley Spring Water. It is sanctioned by the Society of Hickory Golfers and will be contested on the Donald Ross Course (site of the 1926 PGA Championship) at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind. Entry fee will be determined. Practice round on July 23 with welcome reception on Monday evening. Medal play on July 24 followed by dinner. Medal play on July 25 followed by awards luncheon. French Lick is an older resort community with a stately resort hotel. This Ross Course is a marvelous test of golf over rolling fairways. Reduced rates available at the West Baden Springs Hotel.
Click here for more information and a downloadable registration form.
For a wrap-up of the 2011 event, check the Tournament Results pages of this website.
Contacts: Hamp Munsey; or Dave Ellis.
Mountain Valley Hickory Open
New to the Championship Series for 2012 is the Mountain Valley Hickory Open. The site is yet to be determined. The format is two days of Open stroke play, Senior stroke play and 4-Ball championships. There will be an optional practice round and a 9-hole par 3 tournament on Friday. A meal follows the par 3 event. The tournament starts early Saturday followed by food and drinks in the evening at the home of tournament director Breck Speed. Shotgun start on Sunday. SoHG equipment rules. Fee is $165. Mountain Valley Spring Water donates $100 for every participant to the First Tee of Arkansas. This is one of the friendliest of the hickory events, with lots of socializing following the day’s competitive play. For non-golfers, the Clinton Presidential Library is worth a visit as are area shopping venues and state parks.
Tournament registration and additional information will appear here, when available.
Contact: Breck Speed at bspeed@aol.com
www.hickorygolfers.com
Mid Pines Hickory Open
The final event in the Series, the Mid Pines Hickory Open in Southern Pines, N.C. provides a lovely setting to close the season. This is one of Donald Ross’ finest courses, perfect for hickory play. Neighboring course at Pine Needles hosts the foursomes competition on Friday of the event. Trade show on Saturday at Mid Pines. The golfing center of Pinehurst is nearby as is the Tufts Archives, a repository of Donald Ross history.
For a wrap-up of the 2011 event, check the Tournament Results pages of this website.
Registration and other information will be posted here, when available.
Contacts: Email Graham Gilmore or call him at 910-692-9362; or email Bob Esworthy.