Day One: 2024 Ontario Open Hickory Golf Championship

The first day of the 2024 Ontario Open Hickory Golf Championship is in the books. The first of two days was played at the Whirlpool Golf Course in Niagara Falls. The course was in great shape considering the amount of rain that fell the day before and during the first six holes of my round. I was paired with Ben and Hugh; two great gentlemen who have smooth swings and have a bucketload of knowledge about hickory sticks. Overall, it was a great round and I look forward to today’s action.

Upon arriving at Whirlpool, I was overwhelmed by the camaraderie of all the players. The hickory stick community is very welcoming and offers a new experience for any golfer looking to expand their golfing journey. More on this in future posts.

The Open Hickory Golf Champioship is hosted and organized by the Golf Historical Society of Canada. As always, they did not disappoint. From the moment we arrived, the everything went as smooth as silk. With 34 players, ready to play, the check in was very easy. After giving us a bit of swag (pictures to follow) we were piped to the first hole. It was very nostalgic and fun. There was an started announcing where each player was from (we had a few from the USA and from Western Canada). It was really quite a nice touch. We were flighted by age (I was in the Open flight) and to vie for the championship, each golfer had to play from the red tees regardless of age. There are 5 of us in the Championship flight.

I was paired with Hugh and Ben. Both were very nice guys. Ben, owner of BTI – Play Hickory Golf and master club maker, is a long hitting left hander. I was amazed at how far he could hit the ball. On one short par 4 (288 yards uphill), Ben hit the ball 20 yards short of the green. Ben is the current leader shooting 80 yesterday. We are all chasing him today.

Hugh is a smooth hitting player who has a complete game. His ball striking is his strength. Rarely hitting a poor shot, he had a few unlucky bounces to finish two strokes off the lead. Hugh had two birdies on the day with a chance an many others. I expect he will play better on day two.

Both Hugh and Ben are great hickory stick players. I marveled at their knowledge of the game and how many hickory players they both have in common. I listen to their stories about tournaments, great players and equipment. I am hoping that the second round will be the same as we are paired together in the last group.

The first hole was my nemesis on the first round. It was extremely beautiful and well set up. However, hitting into the the sand traps three times on the same hole (yup, right to left to right to on the green). After my foray in the sand, I walked off with quad snowman. What a crazy way to start the Championship.

An example of the beautiful holes at Whirlpool

I actually played very well. Although the course was very wet and I did not have any roll out off any shot, I only had four bad holes (a quad, 3 doubles) where I was 10 over. The other 14 holes I shot 3 over. I shot 85 on a wet 5700 yard course…..not bad I think. I would say that if I pulled up my socks, I might have a chance as I am only 5 strokes back sitting in 3rd play.

My best shot of the day as on a 161 yard par 3 that lipped the cup on the way by the hole. It stopped 10 inches past the cup and I tapped in for my only birdie of the day. My playing partner, Ben, watched it and was shouting for the ball to drop. My ball landed short of the green and skipped up out of a puddle of water. It rolled 20 yards on the green and came to rest in the spot in the picture.

Just for fun, attached is another picturesque par 3:

Overall, it was a great first day. I am ready for another exciting day on the links. It will start raining about half way through my round and stay raining for the rest of the day. This will change things and I hope I continue to play well in the wet weather. If nothing else, I will be paired with some great guys who are playing golf for the love of the game.

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

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