National Hickory Championship

June 8-10
St Martins Course, Philadelphia Cricket Club
Philadelphia, Pa.

NHC host Pete Georgiady reports (as of March 12):
“The terrible flooding in West Virginia last June created more issues than first estimated and the Greenbrier is behind on its restoration efforts.  Subsequently, Oakhurst is unavailable for the NHC this year. We were informed Feb. 23, leaving us precious little time to find another site.

We got a stroke of luck when the Philadelphia Cricket Club permitted us to use their historic St. Martins course on our original dates, June 8-10. Many of you may have been in the field when we played that course in the 2013 NHC. For us to visit this historic club and course again is a great honor. Their treatment of our group in 2013 was nothing short of first class and I know that we will be accorded their outstanding hospitality once more.

The St. Martins Course (the club also has their Militia Hill and Flourtown Courses at separate locations) was laid out by Willie Tucker in 1895. It hosted the 1907 and 1910 U.S. opens, later being reduced to nine holes. Today, following a Keith Foster restoration, it plays to 2,071 yards and features beautiful square front 19th century-style greens.

Playing at the Cricket Club is a special treat.  I hope you won’t miss it.”

Click here for a photo layout of the St. Martins Course. Photos by James Kaiser.

Pete is still working out arrangements and will provide a detailed agenda as well as hotel information ASAP.  Please contact him by phone or email should you have immediate questions.

2017 marks the 20th National Hickory Championship.  The event was established in 1998 for those who enjoy pre-turn-of-the-century golf. With a keen eye for detail and a stern eye for conforming equipment, Pete has done his best to create what he likes to call “the ultimate test” of hickory golf.

Looking back at photos from 1998-99, Pete says “I wasn’t any better looking then but I was thinner.  A lot has occurred in the hickory world since the 43 ‘originals’ took to the links in 1998.”
Of the NHC, Pete notes that it was:

  • The first hickory golf gutty competition
  • The first two-day, 36-hole hickory competition
  • The first hickory championship with historically authentic rules
  • The first competition with a dress code
  • The NHC introduced the program book, trading cards, and a composite group photo
  • And a dozen more hickory golf innovations

The following links (as of March 12) contain information planned around the Oakhurst site; however, much of it, in general, applies to the NHC competition wherever it may be held. We will replace these links as Pete updates them

Click here for NHC information.

Click here for an entry form and guidelines.