More than 160 golfers gathered June 5-7 for Canada’s largest hickory golf event, reported Chris Hawes, the event’s founder. The third annual Ottawa Hickory Golf Challenge concluded this past weekend with record participation, spirited competition, period attire, and a celebration of golf as it was originally played.
Hosted at Manderley on the Green and Stonebridge Golf & Country Club, the event welcomed 124 golfers for Friday’s International Friendship Scramble and an additional 40 competitors for the Ottawa Hickory Open Championship held over the weekend.
Players travelled from across Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and the United States to experience the unique challenge of playing with authentic and replica hickory-shafted golf clubs, most while dressed in traditional golf attire from the game’s early decades.
“What began three years ago with just 54 golfers has grown into one of the most unique golf events in Canada,” Hawes said. “The event isn’t simply about golf. It’s about friendship, history, laughter, and preserving the traditions that make this game special.
“Our goal has always been to create an event that welcomes everyone. Whether you’re a scratch golfer, a beginner, or someone who simply wants to experience the game the way it was played a century ago, there is a place for you here.”
Champions Crowned
In Friday’s sold-out International Friendship Scramble, Greg White of Cedarhill Golf & Country Club and Craig Spicer of Legends Golf Club in Edmonton captured top honors after an impressive round that combined skill, strategy, and a healthy dose of hickory golf luck. The two-person scramble format, designed to encourage camaraderie and new friendships, paired golfers from various clubs and regions, creating connections that extended far beyond the scorecard.
The weekend’s competitive championship saw Andrew Robertson successfully defend his title as Ottawa Hickory Open Champion.
Robertson was presented with the newly renamed Joe McLean Trophy, dedicated this year in honour of Joe McLean, widely regarded as Ottawa’s original “Hickory Golf Ambassador.” McLean spent years introducing golfers throughout the National Capital Region to the enjoyment and traditions of hickory golf, helping lay the foundation upon which today’s growing Canadian hickory community is built.
The tournament also celebrated the future of the game, with Garrett Maurstad earning recognition as the “Top New-to-Hickory Player,” demonstrating that golfers discovering hickory golf for the first time can quickly become captivated by the experience.
More Than Golf
Beyond the competition, participants enjoyed a weekend filled with social events, historical appreciation, and charitable fundraising. The Ottawa Hickory Golf Challenge continues to quietly support the Osgoode Emergency Food Cupboard through proceeds generated by its annual auction and fundraising activities.
A Growing Movement
The event reflects the growing popularity of hickory golf worldwide. Unlike modern golf, players use hickory shafted clubs dating back pre-1935. The result is a game that rewards creativity, shot-making, and an appreciation for golf’s roots. Many participants experienced hickory golf for the first time during the Challenge, using clubs supplied by Hawes of St Andrews West, an Ottawa-based manufacturer of handmade authentic replica hickory golf clubs.
Looking Ahead
Plans are already underway for the 2027 Ottawa Hickory Golf Challenge, with organizers expecting continued growth and participation from across Canada and beyond. For many participants, however, the memories of this year’s event will endure long after the final putt was holed.
As the unofficial motto of the Ottawa Hickory Golf Challenge reminds participants each year:
“It’s all about the Craic.”
For additional information, photographs, or interview requests, contact Chris Hawes at hickoryhawes@gmail.com, or phone 613-720-9946.
Ottawa Hickory Golf Challenge
Hawes Partners Golf Experiences
Ottawa, Ontario