The Northern Hickory Tour made a stop at Osprey Links Golf Course on Friday past. It was a fantastic day with 20 players showing up to enjoy the great golf when playing hickory sticks. As in years past, Bill Vossen organized the Osprey Links leg of the Tour. He did a great job and everyone had a wonderful time. There was plenty of laughs, great shots, and friendships made. Not surprisingly, it was a huge success.
The Northern Hickory Tour is the brain trust of the Golf Historical Society of Canada (GHSC). They decided to journey to the northern courses in Ontario in order to increase exposure of playing hickory golf. Their plan is slowly working as many golfers have been tried playing with wooden shaft golf clubs. This event happens every August and we are already planning for next year.
One of the great things about playing hickory golf is the thrill of playing with different clubs. I always imagine what it would be like using vintage clubs and this year was not different. I was introduced to a rare sand wedge. Although it was refinished with a bit too much chrome, it shows the foundation of modern sand wedges:
This Walter Hagen – The Iron Man club was very cool. Made by Kro-Flite, circa 1929, the club was well balanced and felt like a modern day club. The lack of grooves did make it more difficult to put spin on the ball, but it slid through the sand like a butterknife through warm butter. I enjoyed swinging it and so did my friend Charlie (multiple times 😉 ).
Hickory golf is great fun. The ambassadors from the GHSC make the event even exciting. They are a fountain of knowledge relating to golf and every year I learn a great deal more. Day two of the northern stops is heading to my home course in Mattawa. It should be another fantastic day!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
It was a repeat visit to Osprey Links for our northern tour and Bill did a great job as host and organizer. I was so pleased that his back problems abated enough for him to play. The dinner at Greco’s after the round was a great way to top off a great day.
Our Hickory Ambassadors enjoy introducing new people to the old game and our late August tour is a great getaway.
For others that may read this blog and are in the near north, I hope you will consider joining us sometime. I am sure that Bill or Jim would love to hear from you.
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Lorne
Thanks for bringing the joy of golf to the north. Yes, anyone interested in next year’s visit, please contact us.
Cheers Jim
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Glad you had fun. Looks like you had a good day for it. We weren’t so lucky. We were holding umbrellas for each other while putting the first green. Got hit 3 times in 3 holes before it finally gave us some peace. One little cloud at a time. lol
The steam lingered for most of the rest of the round and that made things a bit uncomfortable as well as keeping my glasses fogged over. lol But I can’t blame that for any bad shots. I hit some really, really good ones today. And some that weren’t so good. About normal. Couldn’t drop a birdie putt. Not the first time that’s happened either. But we got to make a new friend, play a game a golf, and play a very interesting course. Hard to ask for more. Especially knowing golf is going to be a no go for a few days while the hurricane heads here. Got lots of rain coming starting tomorrow I guess. So next Saturday is looking to be our next chance.
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Kevin,
Batten down the hatches with the bad weather coming your way. Stay safe.
Cheers Jim
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Oh, I’ll be careful. I’m stocked and ready. That’ll get me through a miss and if it decides to head straight here I’ll find a hotel near a dry golf course somewhere it isn’t going. 🤞
The current projected path keeps it off the coast as it goes by. So we may actually have some fun. You can really hit a ball a long way with a hurricane at your back. 🏌️ I’ve lived with them a long, long time. I know.
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Perfect. Stay safe.
Cheers Jim
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