Host Tom Johnson reports:
The 16th Foxburg Hickory Championship was blessed with three fantastic days, Aug. 8-10. Several days of rain over the previous 10 days greened up the course, which made it play a little slower than normal. While the green speeds were moderate, the Foxburg legacy of being difficult around the greens was true to form.
The weather was terrific for the Thursday practice round and Saturday’s final round. Storms Thursday night and Friday morning resulted in a two-hour delay to the first round on Friday.
The delay provided the opportunity to enjoy our catered lunch prior to the start of play: pulled pork, chicken salad, pasta salad, hand-cut mixed fruit, with brownies and cookies for dessert.
Immediately after lunch we held the drawing for the raffle of the longnosed play club made by Kelly Leonard of Manitoba, Can. The playclub is a beautiful creation made of purple heart. The unique color ideally accentuates the grain in the wood. A magnificent piece. Gary Cole was the lucky individual to claim this prize. Nice!
Friday play was highlighted with Billy Wardwell (Turners Falls, Mass.) posting the low score for the day with 82, leading the Senior Open Division. The Open Division resulted in a five-player tie with 85: Messrs. Rob Geiger, yours truly, James Kaiser, Jacob Smith, and Scott Staudacher.
Other competitive scores included Tom Irving’s (Cicero. Ind) 85 and Mike Campailla’s (Mogadore, Ohio) 86.
A beautiful day greeted us on Saturday with play starting at 9:30 a.m. Weather conditions were clear and 58 degrees. Beautiful.
Four of those who shot 85 competed together in the Open division. Johnson and Logan Pristorius were in the following group. Johnson carded 39 on the first nine to take control by a couple of shots and was able to hang on to take the Open division honors.
Rob Geiger (Sewickley, Pa.) and Jacob Smith (Strasburg, Va.) tied for Runner-up in the Open division. Geiger won via scorecard playoff.
Mr. Wardwell carded a 84 the second day to take the Senior Open award. Wardwell is a fine hickory player and strong gutty player. As the overall Medalist for the event, Billy will have his name placed (along with the previous Champions) on the permanent trophy hanging in the Hickory Stick bar at Foxburg Country Club.
Other Senior Open top finishers were Mr. Tim Flynn (Lexington, Ky.) as Runner-up. Mr. Elmer Nahum (Sewickley, Pa.) finished in third place.
Other Division winners and finishers can be viewed on the results page below.
Foxburg Country Club member Mr. John Brosnahan was honored with the Mike Just Perseverance Award for his contributions over 15 previous Foxburg Hickory Championships.
Carol Semple Thompson
Saturday attendees were rewarded with a very visit from one of golf’s most accomplished legends: Carole Semple Thompson. Ms. Thompson spent the afternoon reviewing play and visiting with contestants and guests on the clubhouse porch.
She had played at Foxburg recently as part of a promotional event highlighting the Club. Ms. Thompson is a U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion and British Women’s Amateur Champion. She won multiple North and South Women’s Amateur titles. She has been on more Curtis Cup teams (14) and scored more victories than any competitor in the history of the Curtis Cup. At age 53, she clinched the U.S. team’s 2002 victory with a dramatic 27-foot birdie putt on the final hole. A living legend!
As the event wrapped up, Ms. Thompson found a comfortable spot on the Foxburg Porch and awed many of us with her delightful personality and championship humility. It was truly an honor to have her attend our event.
Speaking further of the magical wrap-around porch at Foxburg Country Club. The golf course is a classic, it provides a terrific setting on an authentic pre-1900 design. That being stated, I am continually impressed that as golf rounds wrap up many contestants and guests gather on the porch for further conversation and sharing of their experiences.
The ladies who attend to support their spouses and significant others find the same magic. They are as excited to catch-up, enjoy their day, and contribute to the event as the men are about playing Foxburg.
Karen and I have seen enough events where, when the round is done and the scores submitted, players head for their cars, hotel rooms, or home. At Foxburg, it is common to see 25 or so competitors engaged in conversations, hours after the rounds are completed.
Karen pointed it out to me at the 2022 NHC held at Foxburg. The first round had been completed; the porch was full for two hours after play. The final round displayed much of the same activity. There is something about that big, inviting porch.
Something new for 2025. We have had a suggestion to create a new Division for 2025: Clubmakers and Cleekmakers. There are several clubmakers who are “regulars” at the FHC and in 2025 they will be invited to have a competition among themselves using their own self-made equipment. These talented woodworkers add a special profundity to the field. Sharing thoughts with them about their creations is very special. An opportunity to compete against one another, playing their own equipment on a valid period golf course is perhaps more than unique and I believe will create another level of interest in the FHC.
Another note, we have a goal of putting together 12 playable hickory sets for FCC. More to come on that. Many thanks to Tom Irving for inspiration and support.
It was a tremendous Foxburg Hickory Championship, our 16th. Karen and I accomplished everything we set out to do: create a comfortable atmosphere everyone will enjoy, provide quality food for our guests, control expenses, and provide value to the club and its associates. We also like to create competition between small groups to keep second-day interest keen.
Everything else is provided by the Club and our guests. In addition to the green fees, award merchandise, and bar revenue, after expenses we were able to contribute $1,887 to the Club. Add another $575 for the sales of Kelly Leonard’s creation.
Foxburg County Club, Karen, and I thank you for your support!
The 2025 FHC is scheduled for Aug. 7-9, 2025.
The players at the 16th Foxburg Hickory Championship.
Results for the 16th Foxburg Hickory Championship.