NorCal Hickory Golf

2015 Apple City Winners:

Kris Surano (Senior), Michael Scott (Apple City Hickory runner-up).

Stacy Brown (Net2 - Champion, modern), John Sweeney (Apple City Hickory Champion).



The 15th annual Apple City Amateur and Hickory Open was played May 2-3 on the Pajaro Valley Golf Club & Spring Hills Golf Course. It was a pretty special day for John Sweeney, who not only won the event, but an award named in his honor.



Saturday May 2, 2015 - Royal Oaks

Hickory players competing in their own dedicated flight of the 15th annual Apple City Amateur roamed the grounds of the 1922 Pajaro Valley Golf Club for the first time in decades. Saturday's highlights included six birdies, including two impressive back-to-back ones from Mike Kosich on 17 and 18. Michael Scott's birdie on the very difficult par 3 11th, was part of a stellar net 68 and only three back of first-day leader John Sweeney, who carded a super round of 84 for a net 65. Several players met afterward at Jim Thompson's man cave extreme for drinks, kabobs, and entertainment by Michael (and the occasional backup singing by Tim).



Sunday May 3, 2015 - Watsonville

Spring Hills on paper appears easy enough at 6,000 yards par 72, but plays tough due to the target golf and the many forced carries. We played from the tournament's "apples", or back tees, which in hindsight was a mistake considering the field was comprised of all but one Senior player. Sunday's scores reflected the poor decision. Kris Surano was the exception with a fine 2 over par back nine 38 and the low round of the day, 82.



Miracle on the par 5 17th

First-day leader John Sweeney and pursuer Michael Scott arrived at the 35th hole all square with two holes to decide the championship. With 170 yards left for his third shot, on the wrong side of the fairway with ball above his feet, a huge greenside bunker up ahead on the right, and hazard to the left, John hit the shot of the tournament. A perfect fade, it threaded the perils both left and right and bounded up onto the green to within 15 feet. John would drain the putt for a natural birdie 4 that would give him the cushion needed to secure the 2015 Apple City Hickory Open Champion title.



A win for the ages

Those that call Spring Hills home sometimes talk of the spirits that seem to watch over the place. When Gerry Loyola Sr. holed out on #15 for an ace with Loyola junior's 7 iron, all sensed that his kid was there. John played in the Jerry Loyola Foundation Challenge back in August. It was here that the idea for a perpetual plaque honoring John's long-time association with Spring Hills and for his playing in the Apple City with hickory long before any hickory flight existed, began. The trophy, appropriately carved from a plank of hickory, was constructed by Michael Scott who endured a "picky" customer all the way up to, and including, the nailing and orientation of the winners' plates.







The John Sweeney Award was unveiled much to the surprise of all and especially the winner, John. The award presentation was cut short after the presenter got a bit choked up attempting to explain the back story... brevity is best at times.





The 2015 Champion enjoys a refreshing drink from trophy!



Amy and staff thanks all for participating and looks forward to seeing everyone again next year!



some photos courtesy of Kris Surano



Not Optimal





Water explosion #9





Tim England Tee shot





Mike Kosich Tee shot





#17 Pitch shot from adjoining fairway #10





#18 Tim England





#18 Mike Kosich





#18 Kris Surano





Steve and John





Course owner Amy celebrates with John