By Jim Davis
The Happy Hollow Club in Omaha, Neb. has been announced as the site for the 2020 U.S. Hickory Open.
The club was established in 1907. The current site was obtained in 1922 and the Chicago golf design firm of Langford & Moreaux was hired to build a 27-hole course over 230 acres. The course opened for play in 1924. In 1987, the club began a renovation of the entire course, a massive project that was finally completed in 1994. Other aspects of the club got a thorough make-over as well, including the pool, golf and tennis pro shops, the tennis court surfaces, new parking facilities, new practice putting green, new furniture and fixtures… in short, Happy Hollow was completely updated. (Click here to see a history of the club prepared by Robert Fraass for Happy Hollow.)
Omaha is known for its “Old Market” historic area with dining, hotels, and interesting shops, all just a few minutes drive. The airport is 20 minutes from the golf course.
Omaha has seen its share of champions and golf history, said Randy Jensen, a native Nebraskan and Omaha resident, and holder of many hickory golf titles. “Because of the railroad, many great players have travelled through Omaha on their way West. Bobby Jones and Harry Vardon have both played golf in the Omaha area.”
Jensen also noted that A.H. Findlay, who some argue has a better claim than C.B. Macdonald as the “Father of American Golf,” laid out a nine-hole course here in Omaha in 1893 (before there was an 18-hole course in the U.S.). “Findlay also did a short course outside Omaha in 1887,” he says. “His start was in Nebraska, after arriving from Scotland.”
The 2020 USHO organizing committee, spearheaded by Kevin Cawley, is already hard at work preparing for the tournament. Part of the excitement is that 2020 marks the 20-year anniversary of the founding of the Society of Hickory Golfers. Although it’s a bit early, Cawley says his committee is “energized and looking forward” to the tournament in 2020.
Stay tuned for updates.