Beautiful weather was the inducement to great play at the 13th annual Mid Pines Hickory Open in Southern Pines, N.C. Though late in 2016, the event is the season opener for the 2016-17 Championship Series of the Society of Hickory Golfers. Some 89 hickory golfers competed on the wonderful Donald Ross-designed Mid Pines course, a favorite of many of the participants. The competitors traveled from 21 different states and Canada.
Cliff Martin, runner-up in the 2016 U.S. Hickory Open, claimed another 2016 title by four strokes over an always tough competitor, Rick Woeckener of Fredericksburg, Va. With the victory, Martin also claimed the 2015-16 Championship Series crown.
To see a story posted by the Mid Pines Resort, click here.
Top two in each division are listed below. Click here for full results.
As a prelude to the MPHO, 14 two-man teams participated in the foursomes tournament on Friday at Pine Needles. The alternate shot format proved to be challenging for all but the team of Jim Clawson and Rick Woeckener who claimed the victory.
The greens staff at both Pine Needles and Mid Pines had the courses in great condition. When the players reached the greens they found that the Ross contours were a true challenge. Three-putt greens were not uncommon.
With the change from daylight to standard time, everyone was able to get an extra hour of sleep. After the group picture was taken, Donna Engelson read a letter to the assembled from Lynn Just, widow of our good friend Mike Just who passed away in early October. All who knew Mike were touched by Lynn’s expression of gratitude to the hickory community. Following the reading, Rick Woeckner played Taps for Mike.
For handicap posting purposes, the slope and rating for Mid Pines are listed here:
White Tee: 68.7 Rating / 122 Slope / 5699 Yardage
Green Tee: 65.9 Rating / 116 Slope / 5038 Yardage
Red Tee: 68.8 Rating / 112 Slope / 4913 Yardage
2016 Mid Pines Hickory Open Winners
Ladies Open
Andrea Hodel – 179
Paula Zellers – 189
Ladies Reserve/Net
Paula Zellers – 143
Andrea Hodel- 145
Open
Cliff Martin – 157
Rick Woeckener – 161
Open Reserve/Net
Ted Kopec – 142
Chris Farris – 146
Senior Open
Jim Von Lossow – 152
Otey Crisman III – 156
Senior Reserve/Net
Ron Dunn – 131
Ed Jackson – 138
Super Senior Open
Charles Mitchell – 172
Max Hollon – 180
Super Senior Reserve/Net
Charles Mitchell – 144
Tad Moore – 149