Aug. 10-11
Foxburg Country Club
Foxburg, Pa.
It’s our pleasure to invite our hickory golf friends to the 10th annual Foxburg Hickory Championship at the historic Foxburg Country Club. It is perfect for pre-1900 golf, and is one of the treasures of our pastime.
Event host Tom Johnson, left, congratulates Seth Lomison, the 2016 Foxburg Hickory Champion.
Foxburg Country Club, in the hills of Western Pennsylvania, roughly an hour north of Pittsburgh, was established in 1887 and is considered the oldest golf course in continuous use in the United States.
There are multiple competitions within the Foxburg Hickory Championship. The Championship’s pre-1900 categories include Open, Senior (55-65) and Super Senior (66+), Open and Senior for the post-1900 division. Additionally, we are hopeful to host a Ladies Division again this year.
The featured event is the pre-1900 Open division. The FHC is one of the few pre-1900 events, along with the National Hickory Championship, the Wisconsin Gutty Challenge, and the C.B. MacDonald Classic.
The entry fee for 2018 is $225 for men ($160 members), and $145 for ladies. Entry fee includes golf both days and contestant meals at the course. Gutty balls engineered for period play (extra balls will be available at the event’s cost) will be issued to each contestant. Meals at the course include lunch on the first day (between front and back nine), and a very nice buffet luncheon Saturday afternoon immediately following play.
The course plays at 2,400 yards for the pre-1900 Championship. Even with the “modern” hickories, the small greens and tricky layout will test your patience and skill level. The course has proven to be a fair test, as well as a tremendous amount of fun. As with all hickory events, contestants are encouraged to dress in period.
There is a nominal additional cost to include your spouse/guest for either Friday’s lunch or the award buffet. We also have a nice meal the evening of the first day at a local restaurant (not included in the entry fee) you are sure to enjoy.
Activities for non-playing spouses and guests include shopping at the many antique stores and shops in the area, a very large outlet mall nearby, and the quaint Foxburg Wine Cellars at the bottom of the hill. The more adventurous may enjoy the canoe livery or the local Segway and bike rental shop.
Entry forms and championship information can be obtained from Tom Johnson (Tournament Director) at Foxburghickory@aol.com or 330-677-8997. Or, click here for a registration form.
Practice rounds on Thursday, Aug. 9 (not included in the tournament fee).
Itinerary
Thursday, Aug. 9
Registration opens around 10 a.m. The desk will be open until roughly 5 p.m. Balls, gift, and itinerary will be supplied. The course is available for practice all day, although members start arriving mid-afternoon and the course fills up. Practice round fees are not included in the entry. We usually meet for dinner at the RRR Roadhouse Steak House in Clarion. It is next door to the tournament hotel (see below).
Friday, Aug. 10
Meet at the golf course around 8:30 a.m. First round will start at 9 a.m. We break for lunch between nines, and finish play around 2 p.m. Many of us will meet for dinner at a site TBD.
Saturday, Aug. 11
Be at the course in time to begin play at 9 a.m. We play straight through with a short break at the clubhouse off the 7th tee. The award dinner will be immediately after play, roughly 1:30 p.m. Awards and congratulations distributed, and everyone on the road by 3 p.m.
The Friday and Saturday meals served at the golf course are included in the entry.
Open Division – Contestants will use the Park ball and use sand tees.
Reserve Division – Contestants can use their choice of the Park, Braid, or Vardon style ball. They may use modern tees if they wish.
Post-1900 Division – Contestants will use the Ouimet mesh ball.
All contestants and divisions are permitted to use riding carts and or carry bags.
Divisions:
Open, Open Senior, Reserve Senior, Reserve Super Senior, Post-1900.
If you are planning on playing, and have not had the opportunity to send your entry, please let me know your intentions to assure counts for gifts, balls, and catering.
The Championship is hosted by the Foxburg Country Club, and follows the Society of Hickory Golfers tournament guidelines regarding equipment, rules, and handicaps.
Additional information or questions regarding the event or Foxburg Country Club in general should be directed to Ted Tharan, general manager at Foxburg Country Club. The phone number is 724-659-3196; the web address is www.foxburggolf.com
Tournament Hotel
We have a group of rooms reserved at the Quality Inn in Clarion ($75) per night. Be sure to mention Foxburg Hickory Golf. The price is good through Aug. 1. This is the same hotel we have used the previous nine years. The staff has always served us well; it is convenient, and one of the few properties with smoking rooms in one wing.
Other fine places to stay include the Foxburg Inn just down the hill from the Club, as well as several newer hotels in the Clarion area. There are also many bed and breakfast options in the Foxburg and Emlenton areas.
In Clarion, Pa.:
Quality Inn 814-226-5230
Holiday Inn Express 814-226-8850
Hampton Inn 800-916-4339
Park-Radisson 814-226-8850
Foxburg Inn 724-659-3116