Under beautiful sunny skies, the 13th edition of the Michiana Hickory Open Borger Cup was contested by 41 hickory golfers at the Warren Golf Course on the campus of The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. The event is jointly sponsored by the Golf Heritage Society and the Society of Hickory Golfers. Winners were crowned in Open, Senior, Statesman, and Scramble divisions. The tournament is hosted by tournament founder Jim Jeselnick, a former president of the GHS, and Spike Abernethy. All participants enjoyed some wonderful camaraderie and a trade show featuring many hickory clubs, books, medals, and other unique golf items.
Ten golfers participated in the Open division and last year’s champion, Jeff Hunt, again emerged victorious with a gross score of 76. His name will be engraved on a new trophy named the Borger Cup, in honor of Tom Borger (N.D., 71) and an active GHS member who helped to start this event in 2012. Jeff also received a gold medal and a $50 gift certificate from the pro shop. Low Net Open winners were Michael Nelson, 72; Joey Piatek, 73; and Ben Forsten. Joey is the current president of the SoHG. Net Senior Division winners were Dirk Wonnell, 76; Rob Julin, 77; and Mike Kinney, 80.
In the Statesman division, net winners were Joe Piatek, 72; Jim Hannen, 79; and Jim Davis, 79. In the Scramble division, the team of Tom Irving, Kyle Coasnad, Andy Irving, and Carrie Irving won the gold medals. Spike Abernethy, Ron Smith, Joe Trefilek, and Jim Jeselnick took home the silver medals. Drake Bergoff, Rocky Goshert, Gary Goshert, and Aaron Rovenstine captured the Bronze.
All of the stunning boxed medals came from the prestigious firm of Alexander Kirkwood and Sons in Edinburgh, Scotland.
New this year was a Hickory Team Challenge event and the team representing Morris Park CC emerged victorious with a round of 65. They will receive, also compliments of the Borger family, a beautiful mantle trophy that will be on display in the team’s clubhouse. Rob Julin claimed the Longest Putt award and Kurt Reif claimed the Closest to the Pin prize.
Many thanks to Ron Bakaitis for making the base of the new Borger Cup trophy to Kyle Demeter, the head golf professional at the Warren Course and her staff for being amazing hosts; and to Spike Abernethy for his valuable assistance in making this tournament work. Finally, thanks to the family of Tom Borger for underwriting the costs of the medals and the trophies. The event is open to all hickory golfers and will be hosted again at the Warren Golf Course in August 2026.
2025 Michiana Hickory Open champion Jeff Hunt, second from right, receives the new Borger Cup from its donor Liz Borger, in honor of her late husband and event co-founder Tom. Also pictured are event organizers Jim Jeselnick, far right, and Spike Abernethy, far left.
The players at the 2025 Michiana Hickory Open.