NorCal Hickory Tournament Scores

As was conceptualized nearly 3 years ago, the inaugural 2018 Western Hickory Match Play was held in scenic Monterey, California at 3 favorite local courses to great reviews; Monterey Pines, Pacific Grove, and site of the 2017 U.S Hickory Open at Del Monte. A big thanks to participants from the South, the North and Arizona for making the event possible!

As intended, the championship will roam the western states where we hope to recruit help from local playing groups. Next year's gala will be held in beautiful Bend, Oregon. Paso Robles, California has been suggested for 2020.

The field was divided into 4 flights of elimination match play with a simple format; winners would continue on to play other winners and eliminated players duked it out in a 2nd bracket for runner-up bragging rights. A Friday and Saturday skins game was included in the entry.

As was the rule of the land in the day, the dreaded stymie was brought back to life for the competition (note 6" stymie gauge as seen above incorporated into our Auld golf supplied scorecard). Additionally, no player was allowed to mark and lift his/her ball on the putting greens. To further help re-create the days of old, players were asked to put aside their trepidation by teeing off each day from the first hole with a sand tee molded from the event's sand box. Most were good sports and welcomed the challenge.

Tim Bell's beautifully handcrafted sand tee box doubles as the event's perpetual trophy. Thank you again Tim!

Girls rule! As is the philosophy of NorCal Hickory and as represented by the powerful swing of Glenna Collett in our logo, ladies are considered equal competitors in all of our events. We do not set aside separate categories or flights for women, but instead mix the field together. Occasionally the gals prevail and are crowned tournament champions. The 2018 Western Hickory Match Play perpetual trophy will proudly display our four champions with the newly crowned queen of Monterey, Roberta Robbins, a standout of that distinguished list. Great playing!

Competing in the Dorothy Campbell flight, Martin Pool was the only 1st round bye of the four flights to come out on top!

Larry Sonnenberg found his name on the final champion bracket in the Joyce Wethered flight and helped the Californians stop a Washington sweep.

Jim Von Lossow was awarded the winner of the top-seeded Marion Hollins Flight.

-- SKIN WINNERS! --

Friday - Monterey Pines

Closest to the pin #11 - Ed Horvat

#2 par4) Matt Nelson - Net 2

#4 par4) Bob Kotowski - Gross 3

#5 par4) Mike Kosich - Gross 3 - Net 2

#7 par3) Steve Henneuse - Gross 2

#8 par3) Martin Pool - Gross 2

#9 par4) James Bishop-Edwards - Gross 4

#10 par4) Chuck McCollum - Gross 3 - Net 2

#11 par3) Mike Kosich - Gross 2 - Net 2

#14 par4) Martin Pool - Net 3

#17 par4) Dana Niehaus - Gross 3 - Net 2

Saturday - Pacific Grove

Closest to the pin #10 - Tim England

#1 par 3) John Sweeney - Net 2

#3 par 4) Devin Harmala - Gross 3

#5 par 5) Jim Von Lossow - Gross 4 - Net 3

#6 par 5) Roberta Robbins - Net 3

#14 par 4) Tim England - Gross 3 - Net 2

#16 par 4) John Quickstad - Gross 3 - Net 2

#18 par 4) Martin Pool - Gross 3

A photo album has been added to our instagram account. Here are a few favorites