By Wendy Glass
Carnoustie Country
On Oct. 11, almost 120 hickory golfers wearing stylish outfits inspired by the game’s 1920s and 1930s glory days will tee off at
Andrew Marshall with his trophy from the 2015 World Hickory Open.
Photo by Andy Thompson Photography
Panmure Golf Course for the first round of the World Hickory Open 2016, sponsored by LinkedGolfers.
“Watching competitors from all over the world walk onto the first tee in their finest hickory golf attire with a traditional golf bag over their shoulder is one of the highlights of the World Hickory Open,” said Lionel Freedman, founder and chair of the World Hickory Open.
Competitors in this year’s championship include two-time Major winner and 2014 World Hickory Open winner Sandy Lyle, hickory specialist and previous World Hickory Open winner Paolo Quirici, and 2015 World Hickory Open champion Andrew Marshall. “I hope to retain the trophy I won last year or at least give a good defence,” said golf professional Andrew Marshall from Bawburgh Golf Club, Norfolk, who was runner up to Sandy Lyle in the 2014 championship, which was also held at Panmure.
“I’m looking forward to playing Panmure again as it’s such a wonderfully designed course and a great test for the hickory
game,” continued Andrew. “I enjoy hickory golf because it’s so much harder than the modern game and is a step back in time, with the ‘original’ course layouts and, of course, the clothes.”
As always, the World Hickory Open has attracted a large number of highly skilled amateur hickory golfers. Deal Hudson is traveling to Panmure from the USA to compete in the World Hickory Open. “The combination of Harris Tweed plus fours, golfing caps, shirts, ties, Argyll sweaters and Norfolk jackets always makes for a fashionable atmosphere,” said Deal, who is participating in the World Hickory Open for the fourth time.
Deal Hudson
“It’s always wonderful to test my hickory skills in the home of golf. I played at Panmure in the World Hickory Open 2014 and as I stood on the historic first tee, I realised I was on ground where golfers have been standing nervously over their tee shots since 1845.
“Panmure tests everything in your hickory game. You have to be straight off the tee, use your approach shots precisely, make winding putts and avoid the major disasters that potentially lurk throughout the course. This is classic Scottish golf – it was for very good reason that Hogan practiced at Panmure before his 1953 Open Championship.”
Councillor Lynne Devine, convenor of Economic Development at Angus Council and spokesperson for the council, warmly welcomed the World Hickory Open to Carnoustie Country. “This is now the fifth time the World Hickory Open has been held in Carnoustie Country,” she said Councillor Lynne Devine. “We are delighted this prestigious tournament has returned to our beautiful county this week.”
To find out more about the World Hickory Open 2016, or to download an entry form, visit www.worldhickoryopen.com.