No starch here – Spud Cuppers know how to have fun

Event Host Tom Tracy reports:

The 2025 Idaho Spud Cup, the state hickory shaft golf championship held June 7-8, is in the books. The third annual edition of this event, held under warm sunny skies over the pristine fairways and greens of River Birch Golf Course in Star, drew 31 entrants in three divisions (Open, Seniors, and Ladies) willing to abandon titanium and graphite for hickory and steel. And most also giving up their favorite baseball caps and shorts in favor of plus fours, skirts and flat caps to relive the golfing times of Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones and Joyce Wethered. 

Entrants from as far away as Seattle, Portland and Arizona joined local enthusiasts in the two-day, 36-hole competition. Some were seasoned hickory shaft players and others were new to the old equipment. Local pros and former U.S. Hickory Open and World Hickory Open champions were in the field, as well as those courageous enough to try a difficult game made more difficult, but more fun, with 100-year-old equipment for the first time. Those without approved hickory shafted clubs (pre-1935 vintage) were provided sets by the Northwest Hickory Players.

On Day 1, Kyle Weeks, Idaho Golf Association Competitions Manager, used a borrowed set to fire a splendid two-under par 71 in his first-ever round with the old sticks. He was rifling 270 yard drives with his Jack White driver and putting like Walter Hagen with his old Spalding mallet. He followed up with a 77 to win the Open Division by six shots over fellow IGA staff member Shane René, also playing his first round with borrowed hand-forged Forgan clubs from St. Andrews. Low net in the Open Division was captured by Shane’s younger brother Dylan, whose second day net 68 bested Bend, Oregon’s Carter McGowan by five shots. 

The Senior Division championship was captured by Star’s own Tom Tracy, whose two-day total of 160 was threatened by a furious second day comeback by the reigning U.S. Hickory Open Super Senior champion John Henry Williams of LaPine, Ore., who scored the day’s best round of 77, as well as comeback rounds of 78 by Patrick McGowan of Bend, Ore., and Peter Yagi of SeaTac, Wash. First net went to McGowan and second net to David Lower of McCall, Ore., with a six under par net total. 

For the third year running, Sue Tracy of Star, Idaho, won the Ladies competition, helped by a first round 82, but not before almost being caught by Boise’s Terri Nero, whose second day 86 brought her within two shots of Sue. Roberta Robbins of Seattle, with a first round net of 58, was never going to be caught in the net game, and Lisa McGowan of Bend took second. 

Team competition was held concurrently on the first day, with the “Gnocchis” team of Williams, Rocco Azzarito and Robbins capturing the team title. 

Saturday evening was highlighted by the “Spudfest” potato bar and drinkfest celebration and raffle. 

Participants were unanimous in their praise for head pro Damian Short and all the staff at River Birch for hosting the event, and plans are for an even bigger Spud Cup in 2026.