The 2013 Charles Blair Macdonald Challenge and the Eastern Canadian Hickory Championship were played over the historic Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club, Sept. 6-8. The course is the oldest golf course in North America on its original site (1875). The event is unique in that it is the only tournament in North America where the contestants play with both pre-1900 and post-1900 hickory golf equipment.
The weather for the Friday practice round and the Sunday tournament round was spectacular. Saturday’s round was wet and difficult for the competitors.
The format of the event has contestants using pre-1900 equipment the first day – nine holes of foursomes (alternate shot) and nine holes of four ball (better ball); and post-1900 equipment the second day – medal play. This format provides each player a 27-hole score used to determine the Eastern Canadian hickory champions in four divisions.
The event featured nine lady golfers, nine super senior golfers (70 years of age and older), 23 senior golfers (60 to 69 years of age) and 20 open division golfers. American guests came from seven different states – Ohio, New York, Kansas, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana.
Results of The C. B. Macdonald Challenge
The Canadian team won the first day’s match with a score of 16.5 to 11.5. The American team won the second day’s match 15 to 14. Canada won the two day event 30.5 to 26.5 points.
Results of The Eastern Canadian Hickory Championship
Note: All scores listed below are for 27 holes.
In the ladies’ division, Paula McLean (Kanata, Ont.) shot a fine round of 91 on Sunday to go with her 47 on Saturday for a score of 138. Rita Dietz (Sarnia, Ont.) finished second, scoring 149.
In the super senior division, Bill Turville (Thornhill, Ont.) scored 132 to win his third consecutive championship title. At 138, Adrian Buis (St. Catharines, Ont.) finished runner-up.
Tom Irving (Cicero, Indiana) shot 123 to win the senior division title, edging out Wayne Linton (Guelph, Ont.) by a single stroke. Linton’s 124 left him in the runner-up position.
Tom Johnson (Tallmadge, Ohio) fired a fine 71 on the par 72 course on Sunday. This, along with his 40 on Saturday gave him a 111 total, three strokes better than defending champion Brian Schuman’s (Melville, N.Y.) 114 total.
The ladies pictured in the photo gallery are, from left: Mary Bernacki, Gail Rosenzweig, Paula McLean, Janet Irving, Donna Collis, Rita Dietz, Kathleen Palk, Lynn Just, Margaret Marshall, Anne Smith, Connie Buis.
I would like to thank all contestants for their participation in the C.B. Macdonald Challenge/Eastern Canadian Hickory Championship.
Next year’s event will take place Sept. 5-7. Those who participated in 2013 will have until March 15, 2014 to retain his/her place in the tournament. After that date, I will accept entries from the list of players on the waiting list.
The Niagara area is great for relaxing – a casino, theatre, wineries, quaint shops, wonderful restaurants, and a soon to open outlet mall. Because we play early in the day, there is plenty of time to entertain a spouse accompanying you.
NOTE: Entries will close May 1, 2014. Cheques may be post-dated to May 1, 2014. No entry accepted without entry form and fee.
Entry forms may be found at www.ghsc.ca
For questions contact Paul Dietz:
519-331-6585
clubdoc1@gmail.com