To celebrate the World Hickory Day ‘Down Under’ on the 3rd of May, the Australian Golf Heritage Society scheduled an event played on sand greens using 100-year-old hickory shaft clubs.
Throughout Australia, there are approximately 400 courses that have greens comprised of biodegradable oiled sand or some other similar material, usually due to the prohibitive cost of maintaining grass greens by small clubs in dry rural areas.
The player is able to smooth the putting surface with a provided smoother/rake prior to putting.
The Championship was hosted by Portland Golf Club, an easy three-hour drive west of Sydney, which was appropriate as the club itself is over 100 years old. The land was part of the estate owned by the Tweedie family. Mrs Tweedie, a keen golfer, bequeathed the land to the golf club and the hickory clubs she used to win her 1928 Club Championship are on display in the club.
The course is a combination of traditional links and parkland elements, which gives the golfer a truly enjoyable experience and well set up for hickory play.
Keen hickory players as well as some locals enjoyed the terrific weather and local hospitality.
Attending the event was local mayor, Casandra Coleman.
As many of the players had never experienced playing on sand greens, a training session was provided to demonstrate how to ‘rake/smooth’ the sand, chipping and putting. They were quick learners as demonstrated by the results.
Hickory golf is a game where the low, running shot is paramount, which is ideal when playing sand greens, which are small and don’t hold a full shot.
The quality of play was spectacular with the average Net score under Par.
The Men’s Champion was NSW and Australian Hickory Champion, Tim Sayers, with a record 7 under 65; runner up was Rick Baldwin at 71. The Women’s Champion, a local farmer and first-time hickory player, Amanda Scrivenor, scored an exceptional 2 over, 74. Handicap honors went to Troy Le Grand with Net 59, his best score ever on count back from Chris Nicholson.
Best of the locals was Leo Smith with Net 75.
AGHS arranges regular hickory events and encouraged players to experience the100 year old clubs.
Loaner hickory clubs are available, just contact Les Browne at: lesnkate@bigpond.net.au.
All the winners with Handicap winner, Troy Le Grand second from the right.
The field art the 2026 Sand Greens Championship on May 3, at the Portland Golf Club, west of Sydney, Australia.
The gallery on the 5th green during the Sand Greens Championship.
Clubs owned by Portland Golf Club patron, Mrs. Tweedie.
World Hickory Sand Green Champions Tim Sayers and Amanda Scrivenor with AGHS Captain Les Browne, left, and local mayor Casandra Coleman, right.