Thank you to all of the 2012 Belvedere Hickory Open participants and companions of participants for making the trip to Belvedere Golf Club and the town of Charlevoix, Mich. Belvedere Golf Club truly enjoys having you at their wonderful club and having you enjoy the “Belvedere” experience. I hope everyone had a fantastic time at Belvedere and really enjoyed the three days of golf and camaraderie.
Dennis “Marty” Joy II
Belvedere Golf Club Professional
(Gallery photos provided by Kathy Nappier.)
As for the tournament…
Well, it would difficult to separate the golf from the overall experience of beautiful Charlevoix, Mich., the gracious hosts and hostesses of the Belvedere Club and the grand weather. Rain was banned and sunny skies the norm of the early sumer at Charlevoix with moderate temperatures and high hopes. Thursday’s practice round was enjoyed by everyone as no scores were posted and, in any event, we were all looking forward to a lawn party hosted by Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Porter at their home on the north side of Charlevoix. Good to see old friends and smiling faces, share stories and laughs. “The Society of Hickory Golfers attracts some of the finest ladies and gentlemen from across the country,” said Belvedere’s club pro Marty Joy, who was perpetually beaming throughout the event. A great start to the weekend and we are all indebted to Dr. and Mrs. Porter for an outstanding early evening. Several tournament participants and companions later drifted into town to sample the fare at local pubs and restaurants. Charlevoix is a summer resort town nestled between the mighty Lake Michigan,the compact harbor of Round Lake and neighboring Lake Charlevoix. The harbor is fairly jammed with boats of all kinds and condos and summer homes line the shores.
The Friday round opened upon golfers busy at the range, the chipping and putting greens. Scotland’s finest gentleman, Burt Hogg, assumed his customary post as announcer, on the first tee that enjoys a commanding view of course and beyond. When Burt announces you, his brogue echoing across the course, you feel like somebody. A tall white-haired gentlemen with a ready smile and uplifting disposition, Burt is the epitome of good fellowship. Pairings went off, their drives lofting into the great space above the wide first fairway, and just sometimes finding the heather on the right hill. “Ach, we’ll find that one,” Burt would say. Course conditions were absolutely splendid. Marty and his staff had everything just right. The first round saw some impressive scores, adding to high hopes for the second round.
Golf was not on the minds of many that afternoon. Several of the competitors were joined in Charlevoix by their wives who were treated to an afternoon’s tour of the area’s Earl Young homes. An architect who believed that structures should blend organically into their surroundings was charmed by the Charlevoix area and built several homes in the area. The ladies boarded a chartered coach to go round the various homes, taking in the curved cedar shake roofs and stone work that signified Young’s work. The ladies convened at the Weathervane Inn, located on the channel to Lake Michigan, for a noon luncheon.
Everyone joined later at the Belvedere Golf Club house. As Marty says, “The ‘Belvedere’ experience is not limited to just golf. We enjoy ourselves after every round of golf in Charlevoix and it was no different for the 2012 Hickory participants.” As the golfers came in, strapping young lads Robbie and Beau were in charge of the libations and score keeping. They took care of everyone. As scores were posted, drinks were offered and gratefully accepted whether to soothe or to celebrate. Local musicians provided a pleasant accompaniment to the afternoon. A modest trade show between the clubhouse and 9th green provided an assortment of handsome gear to tempt the ever hopeful golfer. Tad Moore’s excellent “Dominie” niblick saw brisk action as one after another man attempted to loft a high soft lob onto the 9th green, which offered little room to the pin. Few could stop the ball close, though Coach Fairbanks came mighty near. Tad allowed that such was the attraction of the niblick that it surely had increased in value since he had first placed it upon the table. As before, the evening ended with golfers finding their way to Charlevoix’s many fine restaurants and pubs.
The second round dawned no less cheerfully and sunny. Three of the Belvedere Club’s ladies donned exquisite period clothing to for an exhibition match Saturday morning. They were a fresh light upon a day already bright with cheer. One could almost expect Sir Walter himself pulling up in some grand Studebaker or perhaps a Duesenberg with a retinue in tow. Burt was at the ready, microphone and pairing sheets in hand, summoning participants to their appointments. The golfers were ready, too. Placing nerves in check we struck off that high first tee, daring a peek to hope our shots would find the blessing of the short grass. No one wanted to disappoint Burt. During the course of the day, comedy, tragedy, frustration and satisfaction could be seen in the physical attitudes of golfers as they made their way. As with any tournament, luck and steady play determine outcomes and the Belvedere Hickory Open is no different. The leaders did what they usually do, battle fiercely for the title. The rest of us do what we usually do, employ philosophy to place the event, and our high scores, in a palatable light. Ahh, tis golf, the score doesn’t matter so much, we say. It’s a grand day and the company is perfect. What could be better? When it is the Belvedere Hickory Open, this writer can think of few things that could be better. (As you rightly surmise, I fall into the “philosopher”, rather than the “leader” leader category.) A thoughtful placement of a bottle of 12-year-old Glenlevit on the 14th tee soothed many a passing troubled soul. The 16th hole was the subject of many stories, both heroic and otherwise. Fortunes rose and fell here. And, if you were to the right of that green, they most decidedly fell. (I say, Watson, what were you thinking?)
Now then, with all the scores sorted out, all that remained was to gather at the Belvedere Casino, the clubhouse and gathering spot of the grand old resort, perched on the shore of the sparkling Lake Charlevoix. With sailboats darting about over the lake and Burt Hogg at the piano inside the casino (yes, he plays too, and rather well at that), we gathered for a final celebration, to announce and toast the champions and to count ourselves extremely lucky that modern hickory golf has become part of our lives and that so many good and gracious folk have taken it up.
Ahh, the winner? The Open title was claimed by the beaming Marty Joy himself, the trophy awarded by former Belvedere champion and Charlevoix summer resident Chuck McMullin. The standing ovation served notice that here was a popular champion. Indeed, he is a wonderful event organizer, a favorite of all Belvedere golfers and has the hand of the lovely Allison, his soon-to-be wife. As for the complete results, please examine the list below. No matter whether your name be found at the top of the list or the bottom, if it is on the list at all of the 2012 Belvedere Hickory Open, you may count yourself among the very fortunate.
The dates of the 2013 Belvedere Hickory Open are June 20-23. It would be wise to plan now.