The players for the 2018 Interstate Hickory Championship at Old Kinderhook in Missouri.
Nov. 18, 2018
Peter Herrington reports:
Hello everybody,
This report is somewhat later than usual, because I wanted to include the group photo as an attachment – with one or two notable exceptions, we got everyone involved, and photogenic significant others.
Despite the best efforts of the weather (rained on Thursday and Friday; Saturday dry and very pleasant), we had 44 players, including four brave ladies – Cindy Skola, Barb Morris, Sherry Smeltzer, and Linda Baird.
This year the Pilgrims from Texas – Scott and his son, Jonathan – were comfortable winners with 92 Stableford points. Mike Auffenberg and Scott Wimmer won second for Illinois with 85 points; and Paul Jensen and Larry Kerbsbach third for Nebraska with 84 points.
Cindy and Barb won the Ladies scramble event, with Sherry and Linda second. The 9-hole Couples Event on Thursday was won by Jan and Cindy, with Jay McCubbin and Barb Morris second (all from Missouri).
We welcomed for the first time at our tournament Brad and Lorri Gregory, Scott and Dawn Wingert; Mike Needleman’s wife, Tati; Paul Jensen; Larry Kerbsbach; Bob Bjerke; Orly Kilburn, and Jonathan Pilgrim.
Fred and Sherry Smeltzer were our usual splendid hosts on Thursday evening, and fortified the players with an array of single malts and delicious food, assisted by sous chefs John Overton; Patty Pittinger, and Linda Baird. As always, our grateful thanks to Fred and Sherry, without whose generosity our camaraderie would be sadly diminshed.
This year I was induced to swap the twosome format on Saturday for a scramble, which I think is too easy, and not in keeping with the spirit of hickory play. Maybe next year we will add a scramble as an additional option – I look forward to receiving your views on the topic!
As it was, the wet conditions necessitated all players using the Ladies tees, and lift and place within one club length. Perhaps next year the Weather Gods will relent so that Jonathan is unable to drive the par four 6th green. He more than made up for this youthful temerity, however, by giving an impromptu vocal and piano one-man concert on Saturday night, much enjoyed by those present. We suspect his name will soon be “in lights” and we shall be able to brag about his participation in our hickory events.
The snow is falling as I pen this missive, so I wish everyone and enjoyable Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
Yours in hickory golf,
Peter