June 9, 2022
By Alex Bruce
Around 30 hickory golfers all gathered with two clubs each at the wonderful Tsu (pronounced two) Country Club to compete in the first Hickory Golf Two Club Grand Prix. It was a brilliant sunny day on a historic course that is perfectly arranged for a competitive game of hickory golf.
It was interesting to see the various combinations of two clubs. Some players who were confident in their driving skills picked a wood and niblick. Others relied on a mashie and putter to try to win the game on the greens. Quite a few players seemed to favour a lofted long nose as their choice of wood, the logic being it was a good overall club for the tee box, fairway, and greens. Many golfers arrived early to practice their putting skills with woods and their approach skills and bunker skills with mid irons (and long nose clubs) much to the entertainment of the other surrounding golfers.
With the group photo taken, and the rules set (no touch, and every hole must be putted out) the players gathered at the first tee. We decided to play the popular Hickory Points (a modified version of Stableford points with 3 points for a par). The guest of honour was Mr. Koike, the Chairman of Tsu Country Club, who picked up a mashie for the first time in a few decades and hit a perfect shot right down the middle to get the match in play.
The course is a wonderful course set in the verdant tree covered mountains in Mie Prefecture. It felt like we were deep in the countryside, and I don’t recall seeing any surrounding residential or commercial buildings all day. Just us and the surrounding wildlife of chirping birds, bellowing toads as well as squirrels, deer, and occasional monkeys. And regular cheers echoing around the valleys in the course telling us some players were scoring well.
Back at the clubhouse there were more than a few tales from players gloating, or regretting, their selection of clubs, but very few players revealing their points scored. After a few snacks and drinks the final announcement revealed that our champion was Yasuda-san with 39 points, followed by Hizue-san on 38 points, and Fujino-san and Yoshida-san on 35 points each. The Ladies Champion was Aratani-san on 20 points and the Senior Champion was Ono-san on 33 points.
Following the awards, the course chairman, Mr. Koike, surprised us all by holding a ceremony to plant two hickory trees at the entrance to the 19th hole (a practice hole next to the clubhouse), which then prompted a group announcement to return to the Tsu Country Club for all future rounds of the Hickory Golf Two Club Grand Prix.
To top off a memorable day, we joined with another group of golfers (who were also having an event) to participate in a charity one-hole near pin challenge, with the shot being taken from the 20th hole tee box (right next to the party dining room) onto the 19th green. The participating golfers could choose from hickory or modern clubs, and we are proud to say the event was won by Hizue-san and his hickory shafted mashie niblick.
Another perfect day enjoying the fun, fashion, and friendship of hickory golf.
