Ernie Ernst reports:
The 14th annual Wisconsin Hickory Open was held at Lawsonia Sept. 18-20 on the Links Course of the Golf Courses of Lawsonia in Green Lake, Wisc.
A wonderful fall weekend in Wisconsin; a wee bit of sun and heat, a touch of rain and a breeze that could never settle on a direction made for a challenging pair of days.
Lawsonia is a test for anyone’s putting skills and a few players had the touch. Champion Brad Gehl from Winter Haven, Fla., figured out Lawsonia very quickly. Playing his first hickory event, in a course he had never seen, with clubs he picked up the day before, Brad went around Lawsonia in a display of golfing excellence with a 74/72.
Our Senior Champion, another first timer to Lawsonia, was Jeff Vanarsdale who was pushed all day by veteran Wisconsin player Steve Simer. Jeff won by one stroke over Steve.
In the Legends division, Ed Horvat from Sedona, Ariz., weathered the transition from desert heat and brought a sizzling game to post a two-day round of 150 (76/74). Ed has seen Lawsonia in the past and used that knowledge and a great short game to win.
The event always offers some Wisconsin traditions: a Thursday night campfire as a meet-and-greet and the now-famous all-you-can-eat fish fry on Friday night followed by another fire. The food, camaraderie and friendships developed are always the real winner in this event.
We welcome more newcomers to the event every year and hope you mark your calendar for next year’s Wisconsin Hickory Open which is Oct. 2-3, 2026. Come join the fun.
Thank you to all who attended and we hope to see all of you next year.
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- The players at the 2025 Wisconsin Hickory Open at the Links of Lawsonia.
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- Brad Gehl, left, the 2025 Wisconsin Hickory Open Champion, and runner-up, Ernie Ernst.
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- 2025 Wisconsin Hickory Open Champions, Open Division. From left: Brad Gehl, Champion; Patrick Zinuticz, third net; Mel Niewenhuis, first net; and Jason Kauflin, second net. Not pictured are Ernie Ernst, runner-up; and Jeff Hunt, third place.
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- 2025 Wisconsin Hickory Open Senior champs. From left: Bruce Rashke, third net; Jeff Vanarsdale, Champion; Mike Brown, second net; and Steve Simer, runner-up. Not pictured are Blair Semple, third Gross; and Tom McGowan, Senior Net Champion.
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- 2025 Wisconsin Hickory Open players. From left: Brian Zager, Brad Gehl, Jeff Hunt, and Ernie Ernst.
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- Legends Division Champions for the 2025 Wisconsin Hickory Open. From left: Dave Long, second place net; Joe Bradshaw, runner-up; Doug Griffen, third place net; Ed Horvat, Champion; and David Boyd, third place. Not pictured is first place net winner Fred Boetcher.
