Cool weather openers for Midwest regions

May 17, 2021

The season is finding its way to cooler climes as regional groups host opening day events. Here’s a note from the Nebraska, Michigan, and Illinois groups.

Dale Hallock, president of the Nebraska Hickory Golf Association, reports:
The 2021 NEHGA Hickory Opening Day Challenge was held at Elmwood Park GC in Omaha on Saturday, May 8.  It what was a cold and windy May day, everyone was a Winner who played.  Thanks all who played in a full field of 15 teams. Following are some photos and results of the day’s competition.

From Michigan, Roger Hill, commissioner of the Michigan Hickory Tour, reports that the group’s match play outing at Ella Sharp Park in Jackson, was a happy day with nearly two dozen players enjoying a cool morning that gave way to sunshine and brisk competition. Keith Pinchback won the chip-off competition that included match play winners from each foursome. The shot of the day was created by Xander Dobreff who used his Mills BSD 1-cleek to hole a 200-yard approach on the 17th. Score it! Xander, by the way, did it with one arm, his right, as the left was hurt in an auto accident some years back. Still, he possesses a wicked good swing and one of the lowest handicaps in the bunch. Plus, he had his son, Zayden, with him. Doesn’t get much better than that.

With only a few missing from the photo, the Michigan Hickory Tour field for the Match Play outing at Ella Sharp Park in Jackson, Mich.


The Honorable Company of Illinois Hickory Golfers enjoyed the annual Spring Gathering with players from four states. One notable feature of the event is a feather ball competition. Cathy Lane, who with husband, Denny, hosts the event and makes the feather balls, said Tom Kerckhove won the featherie event. “Also noteworthy is that about a third of the 13 players in the featherie event had never had the opportunity to play with the ball before, and all said they want to return for the event next year or maybe for our fall event (date TBD),” she said.”

“We had players from Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois make new connections and plans to meet this year and next, and of course, that pleases us very much. Fellowship is our goal. The gutty event is just for fun, so no “winner” there, but George Burgland won the side “squirrel” game. Visit the Honorable Company’s Facebook page for more photos of the day.

Players of the Honorable Company prepare for a feathery match.
A toast to ye, that yer gowf and a yer year be full of spirit, far and sure.
Spring flowers. Janet Whitman, left, Ann Smith, and Cathy Lane pose for the camera.
Scott Petersen of Michigan, left, looks on as a feathery enthusiast explains the various tools.