With the first week of September in the books, I look ahead and see that my golf season is quickly approaching. I realize that I can still golf through October, however as the weather changes, the number of hours that are available during any given day are drastically reducing. The shortening golf season happens every year and it is something I am prepared to accept. This year, I will end my season with a two day trip to participate in the 2024 Ontario Open Hickory Golf Championship.
Continue readingHickory Golf
Northern Hickory Tour (2024)
GHSC News Item: August 30, 2024 – Northern Hickory Tour (2024) (This article is a copy and paste from the Golf Historical Society of Canada’s website.)
Reported by: George Supol, GHSC Hickory Ambassador
The 5th annual Northern Hickory Tour was conducted over three days, Thursday, August 22 to Saturday, August 24, 2024.
Day #1: Couchiching Golf Course
On Thursday, eight GHSC ambassadors from Southern Ontario returned to Orillia to once again play hickory golf at Couchiching Golf Club (“Cooch”) in Orillia. This Stanley Thompson-designed, 9-hole parkland-style course was formally opened on June 3, 1915. It is often referred to as Orillia’s “hidden jewel.” Here is a link to the Club’s website where Cooch’s history is discussed.
The first 9-hole cycle was played from the yellow tees while the second was from the red tees, about 300 yards shorter overall. This day is a warm-up for our ambassadors before they head to North Bay for day #2 with the local hickory players. The golf was preceded by a lunch at Bogey’s, Cooch’s restaurant, in a private dining area. Afterwards, we gathered for dinner on the right upper deck.
Before driving to North Bay, this writer visited the home of David Burgess, a past President of GHSC who also played with us at Cooch. David has an amazing historical golf collection – one of the best in Canada. I purchased a few hickory clubs for me and my friends. If you ever have the opportunity to visit David, you’ll enjoy seeing his collection.
Day #2: Osprey Links Golf Course
On Friday, our ambassadors played their hickories at Osprey Links Golf Course, located in Callander Ontario, just outside the City of North Bay. They were joined by a dozen local golfers, including both seasoned hickory players and some first-timers who it was easy to see enjoyed the new experience. The weather was great and the course was once again in fine shape. Some excellent hickory golf was played on Saturday, especially by Hugh Cameron (from Renfrew GC).
A pleasant surprise for us at Osprey Links was the return of our favourite food and beverage cart driver, Ally, who demonstrated for us her fine lefty golf swing with a hickory club, for the second straight year. See our pics below. Ally will be moving to Australia with her boyfriend, and we send her our best wishes!
A couple of hours after the round was completed, we gathered together for dinner at the well-known Greco’s Pizzeria in North Bay. A feast of pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp and wonderful tomato bisque soup and salads was well enjoyed by our players.
Day #3: Laurentide Golf Course
On Saturday, our players journeyed to Laurentide Golf Course in Sturgeon Falls about 30 minutes west of North Bay. This was a new course for the Northern Hickory Tour, which had upward-sloping bowl-shaped greens which ran off on all sides. Approach shots, chipping and putting were especially challenging. The front nine was tight but the back nine was open. Laurentide is owned by the Mantha family.
Moe Mantha Sr. was a Canadian ice hockey player and a politician. Moe Mantha Jr., is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota North Stars, and Philadelphia Flyers. Moe Jr. also has represented the United States in international hockey; he was a member of the U.S. team in the 1981, 1985, and 1991 Ice Hockey World Championships as well as the 1992 Winter Olympics. (courtesy of Wikipedia).
During our round, we met Moe Jr. and his wife, Kathy, who were moving around the course in a golf cart, talking to the golfers and personally adjusting cart posts near the greens. Moe and Kathy were accompanied by their beautiful and friendly dog, Annie, whom you can see in our pics below.
Some excellent hickory golf was played on Saturday by Hugh Cameron, Chris Cade and Ron Wiens. This writer also enjoyed making 7 pars, 1 bogey and 1 double-bogey on the back nine, after a dismal front nine (except for a 9th hole birdie!). My improvement was mainly due to a light lunch snack accompanied by minor tweaks to my hickory swing and chipping technique.
After Saturday’s round, four of us went to nearby Jocko Point, a well-known local gas bar, with “the best fish and chips in Sturgeon Falls.” We had tasty pickerel and chips and also enjoyed the ice cream and souvenir shops. The souvenir shop had gorgeous cowhide leather products such as purses, moccasins and tobacco pouches, handmade by members of the Nipissing First Nation.
To quote Bill Vossen, GHSC Event Coordinator for the North Bay and Sturgeon Falls events,
“Both clubs appreciated our business but they really found the fact that we continue to play with hickory-shafted clubs to be cool and interesting.”
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Celebrating 95 Years at the Renfrew Golf Club
The Renfrew Golf Club is 95 years young. It has a long history of excellence that show in every aspect of the golf course. Driving up to the club house I was awed by picturesque scenery. The moment I stepped onto the grounds I was impressed by the golf course. As I played each hole, I became more impressed by the condition of the course, the design and the architecture of each hole. I have to say that I am thrilled to be invited to the 95 year hickory stick celebration. Charlie and I thoroughly enjoyed the low key even with our friend Lorne Emery, President of the Golf Historical Society of Canada. We want to thank Bob West for inviting us an sharing is this momentous occasion.
Continue readingHickory Golf Challenge Review
On Friday past I attended the Hickory Golf Challenge at Manderley on the Green in North Gower. This was the first year for the Hickory Challenge and the organizer/host Chris Hawes pulled out all the stops. “The impetus for this tournament is really all the great events I have been able to attend through my short time as a hickory golfer, says Christopher Hawes. “Everyone is welcoming and full of character, and the emphasis, while being competitive, is on the pure enjoyment of the game.” It was a well organized event that offered a little something everyone. If you want to participate in an outstanding Hickory Golf event, then next year this is a must attend.
Continue readingUpcoming Hickory Stick Events Around Ottawa
Starting 19 July 2024, three exciting hickory stick events will be hitting the Ottawa area. These three events offer an opportunity for anyone interested in trying out golf as it was played about 100 years ago. There is still time for you to come join the fun!
The first event, which myself and my friend Charlie will be attending, is a two-person scramble called Ottawa Hickory–Hawes Challenge. It will be held at Manderley on the Green on 19 July. Here is the flyer that provides all the details:
The second event (which Charlie and I will be attending) held on 20 July 2024 at 11 am, at the Renfrew Golf Club is one designed to celebrate the 95 Anniversary of the Renfrew Golf Club. This event offers as step back in time as players are paired with members from the Hickory Golf Society to experience a unique round of golf and provide your hickory clubs. Come enjoy a day of camaraderie and historical golfing charm as we mark this special milestone in our club’s history – Happy 95th RGC. If more information, contact Bob West (bobwest47421@gmail.com) for details.
The final event of the weekend will be held on 21 July 2024 at Club de Golf et Tennis Larrimac – Larrimac Golf & Tennis Club – 100th Anniversary Celebration (Chelsea, Quebec, Sunday, Jul 21) – contact Lorne Emery contact Lorne Emery (lorne.emery9945@gmail.com) for details. Unfortunately, I cannot attend this event, but it sounds like great fun.
As you can see, there is some exciting hickory golf to be played around Ottawa on the weekend of 19 – 21 July. I am looking forward to playing in two of the events, meeting new hickory stick enthusiasts and seeing how my hickory stick game is coming along. In addition, I have not played Manderley on the Green or the Renfrew courses, so I am excited to try new tracks. I will let you know how things go after the events. If you are inclined, we hope to see you at one or all of the upcoming events.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 