‘Twas brillig and the slithy Toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe.”
Had Lewis Carroll been familiar with the lovely Monterey Peninsula of California, he might have described “brillig” days and hickory golfers who gyred and gimbled on the fairways and greens of the Pacific Grove Golf Links. The creator of the Jabberwocky was not there, but 20 hickory golfers from Texas, Colorado, Washington, Northern and Southern California did travel to Pacific Grove June 30/July 1 for two days of “brillig” weather and the inaugural 2012 Hickory North-South. (That’s North and South California, by the way, though all are welcome from any region of the country.)
“I considered this to be a joint Golf Collectors Society (region 9) and Society of Hickory Golfers outing,” said organizer Eddie Breeden. “I’m a member of both and almost everyone who played was a member of one or both groups. The two who were not are probably soon to be.”
The Monterey Peninsula is famously scenic with the great Pacific Ocean, craggy coastline and exquisite ecosystems. Mix in a few hickory golfers on a rolling links course and you have the recipe for added photographic opportunity. Eddie said large numbers of sightseers stopped along the winding Ocean View Boulevard as it traveled by the course to stop, photograph golfers and, on several occasions, to join in the photos as well. And why not? This is hickory golf on the beautiful California coastline. What’s not to like?
The land for Pacific Grove was purchased in 1931 by the city for a $10 gold coin and a handshake from Del Monte Properties Company owner Samuel Morse. Top amateur golfer H. Chandler Egan was selected as architect for the first nine holes. The links, with those classic cypress trees and glimpses of Monterey Bay, became an instant favorite, but it wasn’t until 1960 that a second nine, designed by Jack Neville of Pebble Beach fame, opened for play. That nine, on natural terrain of windswept dunes, was built on land leased by the city from the U.S. Coast Guard and surrounding the Point Pinos Lighthouse. In 2006, the Coast Guard deeded that land to Pacific Grove, which continues to re-introduce native and endangered plant species.
People, this is a delightful place, not just for golf, but to take in the best that the southern California coast offers. It’s a well-chosen setting for the Hickory North-South. Ah, yes… the North-South… what happened?
The first day of competition was back and forth with the North squeezing out a 1-point victory over the South in best-ball match play. Gary Proctor, the Great Peregrinator (along with traveling partner, Rives McBee, who was also in attendance), won the closest-to-the-pin award – 4 feet, 2 inches from hole. New GCS member Bob Wolfensperger won the Bogey award largely by his stellar play on the tough links holes 12 through 14. He came through where others of weaker stuff faltered and fell away.
After the first round, a trunk-trade show held in the parking lot near the practice greens saw some brisk buying/selling/trading. Among other items, an Iron Man sand wedge changed hands as did a Vardon-style Burke putter.
Following the trade show, Kris Surano (former environmental scientist and advisor to the U.S. Department of State) and his wife, Sylvia, opened up their circa 1898 home, two blocks from Monterey Bay, for the Friday night social. Talking still of golf, the group enjoyed relaxing, mingling and a variety of refreshing adult beverages.
Round two was notable for several low scores, led by eventual winner Kris Surano’s 76. Paul Biocini won the Senior division, and Bob Wolfensperger the Senior Net. Michael Sloan won the Open Net. The 2012 North-South Champion Kris Surano posted a two day total of 156. The newly crowned champion vowed to defend his title in 2013.
That’s Eddie Breeden on the left and Kris on the right
with the traveling trophy that he gets to keep for one year.
So, all in all – “All mimsy were the borogroves and momeraths outgrabe.”
Thank you Mr. Carroll. Couldn’t say it any better than that. Pacific Grove Golf Links in late June on the exquisite Monterey Peninsula. Plus a hickory golf outing and a GCS trade show?
Eddie, please hold a place for me next year!