July 29, 2018
Reported by Jim Jeselnick: Held on Saturday, July 28, the 2018 Michiana Hickory Open was one of the most successful tournaments in its seven-year history.
Newcomer Ernie Ernst captured the Open division with a scintillating even par score of 72. His name will be inscribed on the permanent plaque and he also received a gift certificate from the pro shop. Last year’s winner, Jeremy Wright, captured the Low Net Gold medal with newcomers Jim “Doc” Eike second and Dave Wells third.
In the Senior division, Bill Tucholski captured the Gold medal with Ed Ronco the silver, and Jim Hannen the bronze.
In the Scramble division, Spike Abernathy, Tom Irving, Joel Schott, and Kyle Cosand placed first with a 67 while last year’s winning scramble team of Jeff Warkenthein, Herbie Klinenberg, Brad Baird, and Bill Reed shot a 69 to get the silver medal. In third place was a great team from the First Tee of Indian – Michiana chapter. Their new Director Jennie Zimmerman brought a coach, Madison Chesnut, and two eleven-year-old players, Marley Garland and Kyle Hennings and they shot a very respectable 78, not bad for being the first time playing with hickory clubs.
Curt Fredrixon garnered a new golf umbrella by sinking the longest putt while Ernie Ernest garnered a dozen golf balls for being Closest to the Pin on hole #4.
Altogether there were a record number of 31 entries from eight different states who challenged the course that will host the 2019 U.S. Senior Open. And there was a balanced representation from both The Golf Collector’s Society and The Society of Hickory Golfers. The trade show on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning was also well attended and the organizers, Jim Jeselnick and Spike Abernathy, are promising an even bigger event for next year.
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- First Tee participants
