Aug. 12-14, 2020 – The Legends GCC, Alberta, Canada
Ron Lyons and Chris Ream report:
With the ongoing worldwide pandemic we were fortunate to be able to still run a modified Canadian Open Hickory Championship. With quarantine rules in effect, sadly we weren’t able to accommodate the many enquiries we had from the U.S. and Europe, but we were happy to have a total of 68 participants over the three-day event with 61 teeing it up for the Friday Championship.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
This day featured the popular 4-person scramble.The top four teams finished in the money with two teams tied at -10 and two teams at -9.
Thursday, Aug. 13.
This day would normally feature the annual Ryder Cup competition between Canada and the U.S., but with the border closed, U.S. players couldn’t travel, so the Thursday format was a 2-person scramble with a team minimum handicap total of 20. This proved to be a popular event with 60 entries.
Top five scores were:
65 — Ben Plaunt/ Craig Hosford
67 — Andrew Ram/ Curtis Kucey
69 — Rob Taylor/ Dave Taylor
69 — Terry Bader/Ross Horton
70 — Mike Germaine/ Johnny Bago
Friday, Aug. 14
The Canadian Open Championship was reduced to 18 holes from the usual 27 with tee times instead of a shotgun start.
The Open Division was won by newcomer Mitch Mitchell with a sparkling 73 followed by Ross Kenny and Terry Bader at 77 with A.J. Cook at 78.
The Senior Division featured a close competition with 5 players within 3 shots. The low score was from another newcomer, Andrew Ram with a 76. He claimed to have an advantage with Gary Moller on his side as he was using Moller’s clubs and hickory hat! Kenn Looten was second with 77 followed by Dennis MacIntyre, Chris Ream and Ross McLean.
The Ladies Division was won by Elizabeth Ream at 82, followed by Fran Looten, Lori Ehnes and Carole Sperling.
The Junior Division low score went to Taren Plaunt with Keith Hosford second and Ethan Ream third.
Following the final round, Ron hosted a pig roast in the Museum parking lot. It was an informal get together with lots of room for social distancing and a great way to finish off a wonderful week.
Thanks to Craig Spicer and his staff for the great condition of the golf course. Marking the course for the tournament and maintaining the immaculate greens and fairways helps to make the Canadian Open Hickory Championship a special event. Thanks Craig!
And thanks to everyone for your participation in the Canadian Open Hickory Championship…the three days featured players from age 3 to age 92 helping to make this the enjoyable event that it is! The sign at the first tee with a quote from the Canadian Hickory Open’s first Legend Alex Olnyk really rings true for this event:
“The winner isn’t the one with the lowest score – it’s the one who has the most fun!”
We’ll be back next year and here’s hoping that the pandemic eases. Stay safe everyone and thanks again for a great event!
Click here for a PDF photo gallery from the 2020 Canadian Hickory Open.
Hickory golf newcomer Mitch Mitchell made a splendid entry to the sport by winning the 2020 Canadian Hickory Open.
Former CBC sportscaster, host of the Par 27 TV series and a Legend of Alberta Golf Ernie Afaganis (age 92) with Austin Galashan (age 3).