This will be the 8th annual Pay It Forward Hickory Challenge at Thornberry Creek, hosted by Jim Koss and the Wisconsin Hickory Golfers. The morning nine is on the Iroquois 9 Double Flagstick Course and the afternoon on the 18-hole Legends Championship Course, official course of the Green Bay Packers. Both layouts are gutty-friendly.

We have reserved 24 slots  with VIP priority status to recent participants. Spouses/partners are invited to attend social activities and are encouraged to dress in period attire.

Pro shop opens at 6:30 a.m. The negotiated fee is estimated to be $78, which includes 27 holes, cart, and practice facilities. The balance of social activities, including lunch buffet, refreshments, snacks, awards and prizes are “Pay It Forward.”

Opening ceremony and wee nip celebration are at 9 a.m. by the Iroquois first tee. First tee time is at 9:30 a.m.

Play gutty or traditional hickory (or modern) with the McIntyre Park or Braid limited flight balls. The course will play 2250-2350 yards. Sand buckets will designate the teeing zone and holes will be cut in front of the regular greens. In case you’re wondering, the “green speed” in those areas are estimated to be 5.5, similar to the Hagen-Jones era.

The Iroquois course has witnessed several notable gutty golf events including a record-setting round of 32 by Ernie Ernst. Teddy Stevenson’s 62-foot putt on the one-shotter No. 6  has withstood the test of time and Dan “Milwaukee Missile” Hoffmann aced No. 4 on his inaugural “sunrise” gutty round.

Special awards feature closest to the pin and longest putt on the three three-shotter holes.

Afterwards, we’ll all convene at Jim and Judy Koss’ home for relaxation, camaraderie, legendary stories, refreshments and buffet lunch.  We conclude with the iconic group photo, special recognition, hole awards and priceless prizes for every participant.

Cart to the Legends first tee for an afternoon of gutty or traditional (modern hickory) round. First tee at 1 p.m.

Complimentary wee nips will be freely dispensed on designated holes. Upon conclusion, you’re free to hit the road or reconvene at the Koss home for brats and burgers.

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Sunday, July 31, is our second annual Three Centuries of Historic Golf Challenge. Green fee is estimated $20 and the first tee is at 8:18 a.m.

Participants carry a maximum of three clubs, two of which must be wood. Sand buckets will designate the teeing zone. Lane Featheries are played on the three one-shot holes; McIntyre Park on three of the two-shotters; and McIntyre Braid on the other three two-shotters.

Total strokes determine the division champions. Dave “Dapper Dave” Long is the defending Open Champion and Dan “Bull Dog” Norstedt, the Statesman defender.

Registration officially opens March 20. Immediate questions can be directed to the event host, Jim Wally” Koss: call or text 920-655-2961 or email

Wallywinsagain@gmail.com.

A glimpse of the priceless prizes and buffet lunch at the Pay It Forward Challenge.

From left: Dave Long, the defending Open champ; Doc Eike; Brad Korando; and Ernie Ernst, holder of the gutty layout low score of 32.

From left: Dan Norstedt, defending Statesman champ; Bill Murphy; and Teddy Stevenson, holder of longest putt, 62 feet, and Best Dressed Award winner.