May 1 – Aug. 31
Anywhere
Players from the 1860 Open Championship at Prestwick.
Shades of the 2020 National Hickory Championship!
The Polish Hickory Golf Society is inviting hickory golfers of today to compare their games against the competitors in the first Open Championship, played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Due to the pandemic situation, and the 161-year time gap, the 2021 competition will be virtual.
Hickory golfers anywhere in the world are invited to play three 12-hole rounds – between May 1 and Aug. 31 – and their scores will be matched against the scores of the 1860 Open contestants. The 2021 event is branded as “The Hickory Open,” organised by Hickory World, with the Polish Hickory Golf Society is a strategic partner.
Organizer Sofia Lelakowska said, “We already have registered participants and calibrated golf courses from Australia, Austria, Croatia, Czech, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland.”
The 1860 Open was won by Willie Park Sr. on scores of 55-59-60 (174) for the 36 holes, an average of 4.83 strokes per hole. Runnerup was Tom Morris Sr. at 176, with Andrew Strath at 180.
In the first Open, Prestwick GC played to 3,799 yards with holes ranging from 132 to 578 yards.
The Polish society is offering guidance on how to “calibrate” courses in a local area to the proper distance. For example, at the Engadine Samedan course in St. Moritz, Switzerland, players would count holes 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18 – with a 96-yard adjustment on Hole 9 to align with the 3,799-yard total. Some holes would use blue tees, others yellow or red.
And to level the playing field, today’s hickory players are asked to use pre-1935 clubs. Of course, the equipment difference between then and 1860 is too tremendous to bridge, but at least all modern hickory players will be using clubs from a common era.
To qualify for the virtual Hickory Open top-ranking, one of the three 12-hole rounds must be part of a local hickory championship. Rounds could be played “as registered” with a marker.
There will be Hickory Open prizes for professional and amateur low gross, First Lady, closest to pin, and best historical attire (send photos). Tournament organizers are invited to order a starter pack (35 Euros), which includes anniversary accessories, score cards, diploma and medal. Contact: office@hickorygolfsociety.pl.
Registrations and calibrated courses will be updated through the season on the Polish Hickory Golf Society Facebook site .
The Polish Hickory Open on June 5 at First Warsaw Golf is planned as “a tribute to Old Tom.” The event week will include a practice round (June 4) and a Poland vs Rest of the World (June 6). Each round is to be played in a format that will qualify as virtual Hickory Open rounds.