Another World Hickory Golf Day is in the books. It was a huge success with 32 players showing up at the Cambridge Golf Club to mark this momentous day. I saw many old friends, Doug, Allen and Bill to name a few, made some new friends and chatted with many hickory golf enthusiasts. Overall, the World Hickory Golf Day, sponsored by the Golf Historical Society of Canada, was a huge success as great times were had by all!

The weather was a bit on the cool side with overcast skies and a spot of drizzle. Playing golf this early in our season is a bit of a hit and miss, but overall the temperatures were tolerable and fitting. The golf course was in great shape. The greens rolled well, the fairways were lush and the course was tidy considering how early it is in the golf season. The staff were courteous, professional, and eager to make our golfing experience memorable. I had the “Mike Weir” for breakfast before playing and it was delicious. If you want a great golf experience, then I recommend playing at Cambridge Golf Club.

I was the first group off as I had to make the 4.5 hour trek home after the round. I was teamed with three wonderful gentlemen who made my first round of the year memorable.

We chatted, joked and told stories. It was a perfect group of gentlemen to play my first round of hickory sticks for 2025. I hope to meet up with them at other events.

As the day unfolded, it took the first nine holes for me to find any sort of a swing. My short game was less than stellar, but my putting was pretty good. Since I have not swung a club since last October, I am quite happy with the results of my round. My back nine was seven strokes better than my front as I navigated my way around the course in four hours. Personally, I was very satisfied with how I played and the results of my efforts.

As we looped around, all of us made some great swings. Jim was by far the most consistent of the group. Playing for over 20 years, he has the tempo and control to use hickory sticks very well. Additionally, he putted great as he rounded off a low score for the round.

John made many great contact shots. Relatively new to hickory sticks, John showed he has potential to excel in his newly found passion. Being a lefty, it is difficult to find clubs, but he is keen to grow his hickory stick game and finding good equipment will not restrict his efforts.

Gunner was the elder of the group. Although he did not hit the ball long, his short game was very good. He many ‘chip and putt’ (our mantra for the day) saves.

I was up and down like a roller coaster. If I was going to miss, it was with a slice. Not a fade, but a slice. This is to be expected as I was fighting many different swing challenges and rust was the biggest. I am happy with the round and look forward to playing my hickories in the days and weeks to come.

I did want to show you one of my shots for the day. It was on the 17th hole and I pushed my tee shot to land in this position.

I was about 70 yards from the green and 50 yards from this big pine in my way. With my modern clubs, it would be an easy wedge shot. With hickory sticks, it provide a greater challenge. The pin is just left of the trunk of the tree and at the front of the green. Well, I selected a highly lofted club and let it rip. I was very happy to watch my ball sailed over the tree and land short of the bunker on the right. Fortunately, I had a great lie and was able to get up and down for par. However, my point is that I navigated around many self imposed challenges during my round which added to the fun times on the links.

World Hickory Golf Day was a huge success. It was a very low key affair as the intent of the Golf Historical Society of Canada was to gather the players to get reacquainted, play some great golf, and tell some wonderful stories. Considering the final results, I would say that they hit their mark. I am already looking forward the next event, so stay tuned for more information about hickory golf!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!