2019 Foxburg Hickory Championship

Aug. 9-10
Foxburg Country Club
Foxburg, Pa.

The 11th annual Foxburg Hickory Championship is played at the Foxburg Country Club in the hills of Western Pennsylvania, roughly an hour north of Pittsburgh. Foxburg Country Club was established in 1887, considered the oldest golf course in  United States.

There are multiple competitions within the tournament. 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 (June 6-8, 2019), and the Wisconsin Gutty Challenge (July 18-20).  Being able to use your pre-1900 set in a competitive environment is limited; take advantage when you can.

The FHC entry fee for 2018 is $220 for men ($160 for Foxburg Country Club 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 Friday brunch on the first day, and a very nice buffet luncheon Saturday afternoon, immediately after play has completed.

The course plays at 2,400 yards for the pre-1900 Divisions. The small greens and tricky layout will test your patience and skill level. Foxburg Country Club has proven to be a fair test and great 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.

Click here for an entry form. Or, contact Tom Johnson (tournament director) at Foxburghickory@aol.com or 330-677-8997.

Itinerary

Thursday, Aug. 8
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.

Friday, Aug. 9
Meet at the golf course around 8:30 a.m.  First round will start at 10 a.m. finish play around 2 p.m. Many of us will meet for dinner at a site TBD.

Saturday, Aug. 10
Be at the course in time to begin play at 10 a.m., play straight through with a short break as you pass the clubhouse playing the 7th hole. The award buffet will be immediately after play, roughly 2:30 p.m. Awards and congratulations distributed, and everyone on the road by 4 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.  Senior and Super Seniors sand tees optional.  Super Seniors may use the Braid or Vardon ball.
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, Super Senior, Reserve Senior, Reserve Super Senior, Post-1900.

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, please review the club’s website for additional information about the course and museum.

Tournament Hotel
We have a group of rooms reserved at the Quality Inn in Clarion ($75 per night Wednesday through Saturday evening), mention Foxburg Hickory Golf. This is the same hotel we have used the previous ten years. They have always served us well; 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, Penn.:
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