The 2013 Mountain Valley Hickory Open opened a new season with a new date and venue that was greeted by near universal approval.
The March 15-17 date opened the Championship Series on the Pinehurst Resort Course No. 3 in Pinehurst, N.C. “It was a treat to play hickories at Pinehurst,” said one contestant, who put in a plea for a yearly event at the famous resort.
Everything got started with a welcome reception, including a club swap, at the venerable and historic Carolina hotel in Pinehurst.
Seventy players in three divisions teed it up under clear skies and fine conditions. When all was said and done, Roger Andrews served notice that he was out for the overall CS trophy with a 155 two-day total and the Championship Flight victory. Ben Hollerbach was second with 157 over 2012 U.S. Hickory Open Champ Tony Smarrelli in a scorecard playoff.
In the Championship Reserve division, Rich Grula prevailed with a 134 total, followed by Mark Hollingsworth with 137, and Richard Schmidt with 143.
In the Senior Flight, Dave Brown took honors with 157, Rusty Wells was runner-up with 159, and Jim Rohr in third with 162.
In Senior Flight Reserve, Jim Rohr was first with 130, and Mike Henderson second in a scorecard playoff with Glen Davis, both at 137.
Super Senior Flight Championship honors went to Bill Turville with 176, followed by Willie Engelson with 183, and Thomas Ochs with 184.
The Super Senior Reserve was won by Willie Engelson with 147, runner-up to Thomas Ochs with 150, and third to Tad Moore with 151.
Congratulations to all and to host Breck Speed for a fine start to the 2013 Championship Series season.
The 2014 MVHO is scheduled for March 14-16, on Pinehurst No. 1, at the Pinehurst Resort.
Information and registration forms will be posted here when available.
For a PDF of the full results, click here.