The World Hickory Open-Experience History

It seems that the sport of golf has gone through a phase in recent years of more is better. I’m referring to the gigantic size of drivers, the obsession with long drives and of course the ever-increasing size of the winner’s purse on the professional tours. What has happened to the art of shot making? Yes, I realize that the professional players are quite capable of shaping any shot that they need to produce during the course of a round, but most amateurs have lost or were never introduced to the subtleties of playing the shot that is required by the course and weather conditions.  This missing element of the game got me to wondering and wondering got me to do some research about the game before uniformly produced club heads and shafts. A time when craftsmen built golf clubs one at a time. A period of time when no two sets of clubs were the same. What I found is there are still tournaments played with vintage hickory shafted clubs. I contacted the fime people who represent The World Hickory Open and Ewan Glen was kind enough to answer my questions. Here is what Ewan had to say:

Golf Bistro: What is The World Hickory Open?
Ewan Glen: Today we're taught that winning is everything, this competition however, is about much more than that, it's about the spirit and camaraderie of the game and the lost art of shaping a golf shot. In today's fast paced technology driven world these virtues and skills are almost obsolete.
According to Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open Champion, who recently had an outing with hickories  "It was the most fun I have had on a golf course in years."
GB: How long has The World Hickory Open been played?
EG: The event is in its 5th Year.

GB: Who can participate in The World Hickory Open?
EG: The event is in 2 parts.
Part 1 - is the pro-am held the day before the Open. It is open to individuals or teams of 3 amateurs. Professionals will be assigned to all teams. If teams want to come with their own pro that is also welcomed. The cost of the Pro-am is £200 per person. The pros are free. The £200 includes a practice round, the pro-am itself, clubs to be used if required as well as 1 place for the gala diner held that evening.
The Pro's prize fund for the Pro-am is approx £6000

Part 2- is the Hickory Open itself and this open to pro's and amateurs under 9 handicap. The entrance fee is £50 per player.
The Pro's prize fund for the open is approx £10,000.

GB: Where does one obtain hickory-shafted clubs for the event?
EG: The clubs are provided and are included in the price of the event. If people own their own they must conform to pre-1935 style.

GB: Are modern or vintage golf balls used for the event?
EG: We allow modern golf balls to be used.

GB: Where can interested players get more information about The World Hickory Open?
EG: Information can be found at the website
www.worldhickoryopen.com or by contacting Lionel Freedman the tournament director by e-mail at info@worldhickoryopen.com, or they can contact me at ewan.glen@gmail.com

GB: Is there anything else you would like to add about The World Hickory Open? EG: The event will be played in 2009 at the famous Gullane golf club. For many years now a qualifying course for the British Open when it is being played at Muirfield. The event attracts players from more than 12 countries today. It is a competition that is at the heart of the traditions of golf played in great spirit.

If you are looking for an event that is more traditional than other event you are used to playing in and are planning a trip to Scotland during September of 2009 please contact Ewan Glen or Lionel Freedman for more information about this great event www.worldhickoryopen.com

All photos are used by permission of www.worldhickoryopen.com