“The impetus for this tournament is really all the great events I have been able to attend through my short time as a hickory golfer, says Christopher Hawes. “Everyone is welcoming and full of character, and the emphasis, while being competitive, is on the pure enjoyment of the game.”
Though he enjoyed the sport so much, there were few people in his area to join him, so Hawes decided to create a fun event to introduce a large group to the sport. The inaugural Ottawa Hickory Golf Challenge is a two-person scramble with the emphasis on enjoyment and good fun. There will be prizes for the best dressed, hole-in-one prizes and more, Hawes promises.
In fact, he has secured sponsors who are covering the insurance money for hole-in-one prizes, up to $25,000 (Canadian) for an ace. As there are four par 3 holes, every golfer who buys into the “Passport for Prizes” option ($20 Canadian) will have four cracks at the payday. The Passport fee is finance additional prizes and swag bags for participants.
Hawes reports that any surplus generated by the outing will go to a local charity; a charity auction also is planned for the evening’s dinner/social.
His goal is a great kick-off with the hope of turning this into a three- or four-day annual event with both competitive stream as well as a recreational stream.
“I am hoping some of the Vermont, New York and New Hampshire players will join us, too. Everyone is welcome!” he says.
The cost is $120 (Canadian) and will begin with a noon tee time. Dinner is optional and will incur its own charge. Hawes says SoHG and GHSC golfers will be discounted to $100 per player if they are willing to partner with a newbie and share their clubs.
Hawes says he is working with local clubs and Golf Historical Society of Canada members to possible arrange hickory golf outings on the two weekend days following Friday’s inaugural Ottawa Hickory. It’s his hope the Ottawa Hickory Challenge will eventually become a three- or four-day event.
“I want to establish the event as a destination event and an annual affair” Hawes says. “I am using Ken Holtz’s event (the Arizona Desert Hickory Classic), the U.S. Hickory Open, and the Canadian Hickory Open in Edmonton, as shining examples of camaraderie and spirit of the game.”
Registration is online via credit card. Click here to go directly to the registration page.
“I am looking forward to playing host to as many SoHG members as possible,” Hawes says. “If I can return the hospitality I have been shown these past two years, I will have truly succeeded and achieved something.” I honestly LOVE playing hickory. It suits me. I have found the people who play are not only wonderful people, but interesting characters. I have Steve Simer to thank. I happened upon him and group of golfers out at Tatum Ranch (in Arizona) a few years ago. He offered to let me use his clubs and after that, I was hooked. Ken Holtz [host of the Arizona Desert Hickory Classic] is a great Ambassador as well. I owe both a great deal of gratitude.”
It is worth noting that Mr. Hawes, an Ontario native who lives just outside Ottawa with his wife (who also was his high school sweetheart), has a background in comedy, which includes such CV items as a touring career as a comic, a contract as a contributing writer to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and owner of a comedy club. Eventually, when the kids came along, he left comedy to become a business man as well as hockey, baseball and soccer coach; chauffeur to dance, horseback, cheerleading practices and meeting with teachers and principals… all the stuff every parent does. He is considering a return to comedy.
“My neighbors think I’m crazy, my kids think I’m crazy, my wife knows I’m crazy, but I maintain that being funny and creating laughs is all that matters,” he says. “I have a team of psychiatrists in Geneva still trying to figure me out.”
Chris Hawes is shown at right, clearly not dressed for comedic effect, but for some hickory golf.
