2018 World Hickory Open
East Lothian, Scotland
Adapted from news releases – American players Mike Stevens and Bill Geisler, both of Florida, are among more than 120 players joining defending champion Fraser Mann, professional at Carnoustie, for the 14th annual World Hickory Festival and World Hickory Open (WHO), which opened Monday, Oct. 15, with a three-ball team contest on the Longniddry Golf Club. Teams from Sweden and Switzerland have been dominant in this event. (More on Longniddry at www.golfeastlothian.com.)
Stevens, a teaching professional for Tampa, has long been coming to the WHO, having played in each one and was a long-time friend of the late Lionel Freedman who founded the event. “The weather is great right now,” he said. “We’re playing hickory golf in Scotland, what could be better?” Geisler, who lives in Winter Park, is the current president of the Society of Hickory Golfers and began coming to the WHO just a few years ago. “It’s in my sights every year now,” he said.
The 2018 World Hickory Open is played Oct. 16-17 over Luffness New and Gullane 3, in East Lothian, about 10 miles east of Edinburgh. Both have proved good tests for the modern hickory player who appreciates their historic pedigrees. Luffness New dates to 1894 and none other than Old Tom Morris as its designer. Gullane No. 3 is part of the well-regarded courses that traverse Gullane Hill. It dates to 1910 and was designed by Willie Park Jr.
With so much international focus on Loretto College’s Golf Academy, less than 10-miles away, World Hickory Open organizers have introduced a World Junior Hickory category as well as a new World Hickory Senior title (50 and over). These are in addition to the title of the Honourable World Hickory Champion, best performing player compared to their age.
The World Festival of Golf finishes with a two-day international team match called the Archie Baird Trophy, after East Lothian’s extraordinary golf historian. Played at Kilspindie Golf Club (1867) the matches involve four-player teams from various countries.
WHO’s chief executive Boris Lietzow, said entries for 2018 indicate a record year with more than 120 mostly amateur players, and approximately 20 pros who aiming for £6,000 worth of prize money. Countries represented included in the field are the UK, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Poland Japan, Australia, Denmark, Spain, UAE, and the USA.
All images in the gallery below were taken by professional photographer Neil Hanna at the Longniddry Golf Club during the Monday contest.
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- Mats Gylidorff of Sweden before taking part in the Three Ball Match.
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- Bill Geisler, left, and Mike Stevens perform a high five during the Three Ball Match.
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- A competitor carries clubs and stand during the Three Ball Match.
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- Two Japanese golfers take part in the Three Ball Match.
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- A golfer hits a low shot into the 13th green during the Three Ball Match.
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- A round of applause during the Three Ball Match.
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- A trio follows their tee shots at the Three Ball Match.
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- Alex Schwendinger, left, and Beat Lehmann chat before taking part in the Three Ball Match.
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- John Tinsley prepares to take part in the Three Ball Match.