WHO loves ya baby!
Each regional hickory golf group from the East coast to the West, has its own flavor, its own style and favorite events. Its players come to know one another like a family, looking forward to the next meeting and often socializing outside of hickory golf. Few groups epitomize the characteristic camaraderie that hickory golf encourages as the Wyandotte Hickory Organization, the WHO.
Founded in 2010 by Ed Ronco, Bill Ellington, Lloyd Slinglend, and Gary Trapani, the WHO annually hosts a three-day Classic with a casual round on a local course followed by a two-person scramble and an Open tournament on the following two days. This year’s tournament, June 3-5, was a bittersweet event that honored the memory of Mr. Ronco, who passed away in February of this year. (Click here to read about Mr. Ronco.)
Edward Ronco as he appeared at the 2017 McNabb Cup in Whitehall, Mich.
The WHO, led by Bill Ellington, secured donations to place two benches in Mr. Ronco’s name on the Wyandotte Shores GC. Such was the response, that the WHO was able to provide a check for $2000 in Ed’s name to the Wyandotte Scholarship Foundation, a foundation that Mr. Ronco helped to create; and another $600 to the Wyandotte Animal Shelter in memory of Dan Riley, a beloved WHO member who passed away in 2019. The Scholarship presentation took place at the course early Saturday morning before the two-person scramble.
WHO members honored the memory of the late Ed Ronco with a donation in his name to the Wyandotte Scholarship Foundation. From left: Lloyd Slinglend, Rose Angela Gronda for the Foundation, Ann Ronco, and Bill Ellington.
Friday’s “Shambles” outing at the West Shore Golf & Country Club (1908, George Ferry, designer) on Grosse Ile, was played in delightful weather with 20 players participating, some from Grand Rapids, as well as Indiana and Ohio. Winners were the team of Bruce Markwardt, Kris Ellington, Mike Pishlo, and John Cova. Host for the day, Mr. Markwardt, ensured all went smoothly including the taco bar at the club that he orge
The 1 p.m. outing for Saturday, the two-person scramble, also enjoyed pleasant weather, sunny and cool. Mr. Ronco’s wife, Ann, was a happy sight at the registration table, her customary place these many years of the tournament. She is always cheerful and a reminder of what a close-knit family the WHO have become.
Before the shotgun start to the day, Ellington, after the usual instructions as to rules, etc., noted the donations to the scholarship fund and the benches in Ed’s memory. Ellington said Ed would be pleased with the event and the manner in which the WHO is carrying on its work in hickory club restoration, still located in the basement shop of his home in Wyandotte.
The Scramble was won by Bill Ellington/Tony Santavicca, with a 5-under score; followed by Dave Cotton/John Horner at 4 under; and Mike Callahan/Kevin Hozenski in third with 3 under.
The day was underscored by Bill Tucholski’s hole-in-one on his second pass (Wyandotte Shores is a 9-hole layout) at Hole No. 5, a 110-yard par three over a pond.
Bill Tucholski with his hole-in-one ball at the Wyandotte Hickory Classic.
“Ed was a close friend and mentor to many of us in the field and the two of us were partners in past hickory events,” Tucholski said. “While I have been lucky enough to have recorded four aces in my 60 years of golf, none has ever been, or dare I say, will ever be more satisfying than this one. As I recall, Ed bought the last round of drinks when we played together. I would like to believe this was his way of saying ‘Your turn to buy’ as well as ‘WHO still loves ya baby’.
Thirty-two participants competed in Sunday’s Open championship, the third leg of the Wyandotte Classic. Participants came from five different states and Canada. As with Saturday, a few beginning words from Ellington and play began. A little overcast this day, but comfortable with low humidity.
The Results
Open Division
1st– Dave Cotton, 73; 2nd– Jim Neville, 75; 3rd– Mike Callahan
Net
1st– Larry Noel, 63; 2nd– John Horner, 67; 3rd– Dave Lipa, 67
Senior Division
1st– Hugh Cameron, 77; 2nd– Bill Tucholski, 84; 3rd– Gary Oldham, 88
Net
1st– Keith Pinchback, 73; 2nd– Scott Petersen, 86
Statesman Division
1st– John Cova, 75; 2nd– Max Hollon, 82; 3rd– Rich McCallister, 84
Net
1st– Tim Stroshine, 67; 2nd– Jim Davis, 69; 3rd– Larry Pinchback, 70
Ladies Division
1st– Kris Ellington, 95
Bill Ellington, left, with Tony Santavicca, winners of the 2022 WHO Scramble.
Participants in the 2022 Wyandotte Hickory Classic.