Canadian Open Hickory Championship at the Legends Golf and CC
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Aug. 10-12 2016
The field for the 2016 Canadian Hickory Open Championships.
The Canadian Open Hickory Championship kicked off with a 2-day pre-play event on Monday and Tuesday featuring play at two local courses, Montgomery Glen in Wetaskiwin and Ravencrest GC in Edmonton – a good way to brush the rust off those hickory clubs and meet new friends.
Wednesday featured an 18-hole cash scramble with A/B/C/D players being drawn from a hat to make up the teams. This really marks the beginning of the Canadian Open as you get to play the home course and meet new players. Winning score with the hickories was 14 under par with second place at 12 under. After the game, players enjoyed a BBQ and the opportunity to view an extensive antique golf collection.
Thursday dawned with the eagerly anticipated competition for the Casey Cup – the annual Canada vs. United States competition – using a Ryder Cup Format over 27 holes. The competition was close this year with the early matches tied at 10 points each. However, Canada managed to pull away in the final matches to once again retain the Casey Cup.
After Thursday’s competition players toured the Golf Car Museum at the Legends GC. Ron Lyons has no fewer than 85 (and counting) antique gasoline/electric golf buggies from the period 1949-1969. Amazing is the only word to describe this unique collection of motorized vehicles – you just have to see it!
Friday featured the ultimate day of the Canadian Open Hickory Golf Championship. The entire course was taken over by 72 hickory golfers in their finest garb and 120 invited guests and past legends. The hickory component was hotly contested in a number of divisions with Terry Bader, for the second year in a row, emerging victorious in the overall championship. Michael Ream finished second. Chris Ream won the senior division at 2 over par for 27 holes with Rob Taylor second. Kim Filipan won the Ladies, Dave Racette took the aboriginal title, and Edwin Chan won the Chinese hickory championship. Senior Ladies title went to Fran Looten.
After the play, everyone gathered in the banquet area for a steak dinner, awards presentations and the Legend induction ceremony.
Coupled with the Canadian Open Hickory Championship play is the annual Legend induction. Each year the event honors an Albertan who has made a significant contribution to golf in the province. Past legends include players, instructors, media personalities, golf association members, course builders, and designers. This year 10 of the past legends were in attendance.
This year’s Legend is Brian Bygrave, a long serving golf professional in Alberta who is associated with the Derrick Golf and Winter Club and more recently at the world-renowned 36-hole Kananaskis Golf Course.
Mark your calendar for next year’s event to be held Aug. 9-11. If you couldn’t attend this year’s event, know that you will be welcome next year!