April 24, 2020
By Jim Davis
The situation is fluid, as they say.
Even as the PGA of America discusses re-opening tour events as well as staging a fan-less Ryder Cup, we wondered how hickory golf is doing. Several regional hickory golf groups, including those in Canada and Europe, responded to a brief survey with answers below.
Your correspondent is based in Michigan where golf, closed for weeks by government order, has just been reopened, albeit with cautions firmly in place. Social distancing is mandated, no rakes, flagsticks in, one per cart, and so forth. Of course, if you prefer to walk, sir, play away. Private clubs have been open for some weeks with reports that adherence to social distancing is oft abused. It will be a tentative return to the Michigan links as some will rush to tee times while others will take a wait-and-see approach.
How are others doing?
Dalibor Prochazka reports from the Czech Republic that courses, once ordered closed, opened one week ago (as of this writing, April 24) for two-ball play, and just now for four-ball games. Social distancing is standard, no rakes in bunkers, with flagsticks to remain in the holes. Hickory golf is being played under casual circumstances with no more than four players as the courses are rather crowded just now. Dalibor says the groups hope to return to larger, formal events later in the year, both standard and hickory play. “The Czech hickory championship scheduled for 20 June is likely to take place as planned,” he says. “Events for up to 50 people should be allowed by then.”
Jim Clawson, Captain of the Virginia Hickory Golf Association reports a mixed bag of golf possibilities with some courses open, some closed and some open to members only. Of those ordered closed, none have yet reopened. All spring hickory golf events were canceled. That last, the Richmond Cup in early March, was attended by only nine players. When play resumes it will follow social distancing customs, no large gatherings, with one person per cart and foam placed in the cups. Clawson says that once courses “officially” reopen, the VHGA will return to a normal schedule as much as possible with some postponements and with the above restrictions. “I’m glad that we have this outlet even though the raised cups or foam-in-cups make the game different,” Clawson says. “I’ve been playing moderns with my regular group. Hoping for revival of hickory golf later this year.”
From the Nebraska Hickory Golf Association, Kevin Cawley reports that courses were never ordered shut in his state and that hickory golf is being very much enjoyed, both casual and formal outings. Club houses, however, are closed, no gatherings are allowed, and social distancing is being practiced. His club, he is happy to say, has an outing this weekend and it is sold out. “More people are playing golf at our club than I have seen in 35 years!” he says. The NeHGA plans on formal hickory golf outings later this year, but, says Cawley, “They will not look the same.”
Mika Hjorth from Finland reports that courses were never ordered closed and opened as usual just after Easter, but that clubhouses and facilities remain shuttered. Only two-ball play is allowed. Rakes, ball cleaners, and benches have been removed and flagsticks must remain in place and untouched. One is allowed to arrive 10 minutes before tee off and should leave direct from the 18th. Driving ranges are open, but every second place has been removed. Mika says casual hickory golf is ongoing but that competitive outings have been cancelled for May with the hope of returning in June. As of now, all gatherings of more than 10 people are banned. “Stay healthy,” he says.
Peter Knowlan, president of the Vermont Hickory Association, reports that two Vermont golf courses opened on April 1, but that was followed soon after with a government stay-at-home order that included closing golf courses. He says that the VGA, and sister organizations, are lobbying for implementation of a “Park, play and go home” policy to open golf courses for outdoor activities. The hope is that a plan to resume play, with restrictions, might occur in early May.
“Personally,” he says, “it is a full mashie niblick from the east side of my back lawn to the northwest corner of my property. That property corner is marked by a small pond / brook. I have been hitting golf balls each afternoon. My wife calls it my practice hitting into a water hazard. Stay well. The hope I have each time I swing my mashie makes me optimistic that this, too, will soon pass.”
Air Flaisher, a hickory golf organizer in the Philadelphia, Pa., area, reports with the succinct phrase, “PA golf is down.” We feel your pain, Ari, and hope you get back out soon.
From the Wisconsin Hickory Golfers, Jim Eike reports that courses, closed with everything else when the state issued a “stay-home” order earlier this year, reopened today (April 24). He is wasting no time and says he is heading out “this afternoon with a foursome.” Thus is hickory golf, blessedly, returning, with casual groups and social distancing ever in mind. Eike says the Wisconsin players are hoping for a return to larger hickory golf events by the end of May, early June.
From Jim Pucci in New Hampshire comes the report that area courses are not open in his state. Golf courses in northern New Hampshire don’t usually open until May 1. Pucci believes his state’s government will extend the stay-at-home mandate, which will include closed golf courses, until mid to late May. So, no hickory golf for the time being. He says the White Mountain Open is still scheduled for July 11 but subject to change. “If my schedule permits, I may play in one outing in Vermont in September,” he says.
Bill Martin of the Metropolitan Hickory Society ( New Jersey, Connecticut, New York) says that everything remains closed in New Jersey, but that Connecticut and New York have allowed golfing with social distancing. The MHS has a tentative date with Ridgewood CC for July 21 to play its annual Nickel and Dime hickory golf event.
Eddie Breeden of the Pacific Coast Hickory Golfers reports that while courses were closed at one point a few are opening for play. “Riverside County opened on Tuesday, San Bernardino County opens this coming week, but I’m not sure about Las Angeles,” he says. He and friends get out for hickory golf, but no groups larger than foursomes are allowed. So, its casual outings for now, although the California Hickory is still on the docket for its usual time in the fall. Breeden also notes that an earlier cancelled gutty golf event may be rescheduled for the fall.
Michael Sloan of the Hickory Golf Association of Texas reports several golf courses open in the Houston and Dallas area. “As far as I know all of the courses that are open has social distancing in place,” he says. “I am still on track to have the Houston tournament in June.”
Ben Benoit of the Tennessee Hickory Golf Association reports that all public courses are closed and some private courses are play only, no clubhouse facilities with the now familiar social distancing norms of one person to a cart and four carts maximum. However, in Tennessee face masks are mandatory. It is hoped that all courses will reopen within two to three weeks. So, no hickory golf is going on right now. Benoit hopes a regular schedule of hickory golf will return by June. “We have a clever greens worker who fashioned a piece of PVC tube around the flag stick, at the bottom, in the cup,” he says. “The tube comes almost up to the top of the cup. The player now only touches his/her top of the ball to retrieve as it can not fall completely into the hole.” Thanks Ben and our thanks to the clever greens worker.
Bob Glass of Tri-State Hickory Golf (Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia) reports that courses in Pennsylvania are not, while Ohio and West Virgina course are open, but following familiar social distance and other guidelines initiated by state governments. Golf courses in all three states were closed starting in March and continuing into April. No hickory golf is going on just now. Glass says the Tri-State group has plans to play one event a month beginning in May and continuing into October. These will be casual outings, he says. “We are looking at getting as many hickory players as we can. So, we are looking at public golf courses on Saturday or Sunday afternoon to keep costs down. Those of us who can will wear the traditional clothing of that era.” He and Tri-State are optimistically still trying to attract new players to hickory golf and hope to have from eight to 12 people at the events. Even if courses officially re-open, he believes that Tri State will not return to larger, formal events for now. “Several of us who are working together on the events calendar are more interested in getting new hickory players as well as veteran hickory players without all of the costs associated with the more formal events,” he says. “Personally, I plan to play in the Virginia/North Carolina Ryder Cup Matches and the Mid Pines event in October.”
Rob Ahlschwede of the Northwest Hickory Players reports that courses in the Washington state region remained closed by government orders. Some players have found casual hickory golf play in both Oregon and Idaho. Social distancing rules apply. Numbers of players vary. He says that, even if course officially open in the Northwest, formal hickory golf events will return to the calendar “only if the science indicates it would be safe.” Ahlschwede adds “The situation here right now is unclear. As we do not know who is actually infected it is a challenge to think about getting ‘out there’ and possibly causing someone to come in contact with an infected person and suffering the virus. The Gearhart course is opening this weekend but I plan on waiting until mid-June to decide on the mid-July Gearhart event.”
In Florida, Mike Stevens of the Florida Hickory Golfers reports that most courses are open in Tampa area except for the course on MacDill AFB, the course where he teaches. That has been closed since March 15 and there is no anticipated reopening date at this time. Stevens says the FHG are playing their first event this Sunday (April 26) at Clearwater CC with 18 players – singles carts or walking. “I plan to attend any events that are going to place in the U.S.,” he says. “Probably not going overseas.” (We know Mike likes golfing in Scotland, so that is a tough call. Let’s hope things get better soon.)
From Poland, hickory golf organizer Sofia Lelakowska reports that courses are still closed, but may reopen as of May 4, albeit with many restrictions. She and others have formally created the Polish Hickory Golf Society for both players and collectors. “As of now,” she says, “we play to cancel all of this year’s events until next year. This is a very serious situation, both wellness and economic-wise. We are considering the affect this has on small groups and will be social-distancing far longer than we thought, out of respect for the health and well-being of our colleagues.”
Sofia also suggested that hickory golf leaders worldwide might be interested in a virtual webinar or other type of meeting to discuss their plans and share ideas for going forward. Email Sofia at sofia.lelakowska@gmail.com should you wish to further that idea.
Whatever the restrictions, or none, be in your area, the little virus is still causing mayhem. So, until reports surface that mashies, niblicks, and jiggers prove deadly to covid-19, keep a wary eye and please, sir, keep your distance.