A message from the SoHG:
The SoHG is mindful of the evolving situation surrounding the novel coronavirus. We hope that you will continue to enjoy our great sport as much as possible, but also be knowledgeable of preventative measures such as those posted at the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
UPDATE – MARCH 26, 2020
Many state governments have issued stay-at-home orders in an attempt to halt the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. Many of these orders list what businesses are considered “essential.” Golf courses are most often not one of these. Check with your state’s public health authorities on what is considered a safe outdoor activity. Act accordingly and we can all get through this by helping each other out and staying at home for a time.
And if you are at home, check out some of the links under Resources on this website and do some exploring. If you discover any new links to great golf websites that should be added here, please let us know. Or, for that matter, cool golf videos such as of historic golfers and the like. If we can’t play golf, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it through a little reading and exploring.
The 2020 U.S. Hickory Open
The SoHG is preparing to host a large public sporting event, the U.S. Hickory Open (Oct. 4-6). We want you to know that we are closely monitoring the scope of the virus and its spread. We are certainly aware that attending a USHO involves travel, hotels and lots of public contact. As the USHO is still many months away, on the other side of summer, please know that there are NO plans at this time to cancel the 2020 USHO. A lot can happen over the next several months. But we will err on the side of caution, if necessary. USHO organizers will stay on top of the news and will most certainly keep in touch with all of you. If the event is cancelled, we will give everyone plenty of notice.
Stay safe and travel wisely,
The SoHG and the USHO Organizing Committee
Regional hickory golf events
Many regional directors are wondering whether or not to proceed with scheduled events. The Onion Creek Hickory Classic, for example, has been postponed indefinitely by its hosts. It is the SoHG’s strong desire that tournament hosts, as with Onion Creek, always consider player safety of paramount importance.
We encourage enjoyment of the sport as much as is reasonably possible, but in many cases courses are closing as a result of state governments that are issuing “stay-at-home” orders. We urge all regional groups and directors to work closely with their members and state health authorities to determine your best and wisest course of action with safety in mind for everybody.
As for events scheduled months from now, who knows? We might be playing golf again in a few weeks time. Fingers crossed! Keep in touch with event organizers for any change in plans, schedule changes or postponements.
It is a tough situation; none of us wants to see anyone get sick. The COVID-19 virus has already impacted several major sporting events. Even the Masters was cancelled.
Click here for an ESPN story on golf cancellations/postponements.
In the wake of these announcements and the continued spread of the virus, the SoHG urges all tournament hosts and players to err on the side of caution. Keep in touch with one another. We will post any news of cancellations or postponements on the SoHG website tournament page.