The sun was out, the day cool and bright and the birdies were singing, most of them for Burke Spensky who notched yet another victory at Idaho’s famous Spud Cup.
The competition was played May 30-31 at the River Birch Golf Course in Star, Idaho. Hosts Tom and Sue Tracy put on star spudded event with handsome silver quaiches for trophies.
This was the third year of the Spud Cup as it was called the Idaho Hickory Shaft Championship during its first playing. The two-day event, included a 36-hole stroke play individual competition, and a fun 18 hole 4-person team competition.
Spensky has won every year that he has played in the event, missing out last year because of a schedule conflict. Before his conquering of the Idaho hickory potato circuit, Burke was a great young amateur from West Virginia who played at Marshall and was the IGA (International Golf Association) player of the year a couple years ago. Two years ago he fired five under with three bogies in the second round of the Spud Cup.
Sue Tracy was the ladies winner, by one shot over Diana Sellers. Martin Pool took the prize in the Senior division.
The competition was not so close in the Spud Cup’s team competition, where the Tater Tots ran away with the prize by posting a 204. Other teams – the Hash Browns, French Fries, Gnocchis, Au Gratins, Tubers, Mashers, and Bakers simply could not measure up, they evidently not having enough starch in their diet.
Surely future Cups will feature a Spud King and Queen who will oversee the festivities of this great and singular hickory golf outing
Guy in shorts is Shane René who is the communications Director for Idaho Golf Assn. He was runner-up in open.
Click on any of the photos below to bring up a gallery from the event. Most of the photos were taken by Elsie Criswell. A larger gallery of her photos can be viewed by clicking here.
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- Burke Spensky is again the Spud Cup champion. No one can wrest the title when he is in the field. Event host Tom Tracy is at right.
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- The Spud Cup plaque of champions.
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- A foursome readies for play for the Spud Cup title.
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- Golf with your friends. Spud Cuppers know how to have fun.
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- The field in the 2026 Spud Cup.
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- Shouldn’t have hit it in there.
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- Martin Pool shows the form that has made him a feared competitor throughout the Northwest.
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- Martin Pool, the Senior champion at the 2026 Spud Cup, with event host Tom Tracy, right.
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- Sink your putts while ye may. Rob Ahlschwede, right, and a friend test their eye on the putting green.
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- Scoreboards with the final tallies.
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- Shane René, the communications director for the daho Golf Association placed second in the Open division. He is with event host Tom Tracy, left.
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- Sue Tracy is one of hickory golf’s winning lady champions. She notches another victory with the 2026 Spud Cup. Husband Tom presents the award.
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- Teeing off during the 2026 Spud Cup.
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- Dapper gentlemen who no doubt were partners during the 2026 Spud Cup.
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- Prizes for the taking at the 2026 Spud Cup.