Jim Jeselnick reports:
The Michiana Hickory Open, hosted by Jim Jeselnick, a past president of the Golf Heritage Society, and Spike Abernethy, a member of the South Bend Country Club, hosted its largest field yet – 42 golfers – on Saturday, Aug. 21. The field for the tenth annual Michiana HO included a couple of players from the Valparaiso, Ind. First Tee chapter.
2022 Michiana Hickory Open champions Rick Grassel with Jim Jeselnick (left) and Spike Abernethy (right).
Gross leaders in the Open Division – Rick Grassel (76) with cup, Ernie Ernst (78), and Scott Staudacher (79). Jim Jeselnick is at far left and Spike Abernethy, back.
The overall champion and first-time participant, Rick Grassel, shot 76 to edge past champion Ernie Ernst by two strokes. With Rick’s win, he received a 10th anniversary engraved trophy and his name affixed to the permanent trophy that hangs in the South Bend CC grill room. Placing third was Society of Hickory Golfers President Scott Staudacher with a 79.
All three golfers received gift certificates from the SBCC pro shop.
Low net winners in the Open division, from left: Michael Callahan (71), Bill Ellington (71), and David Lipa (72).
The top finishers in the Open division Low Net area were Bill Ellington -71, Michael Callahan-71, and David Lipa – 72.
Senior Low Net champs (with medals), from left: Tommy Presperin (74), Jim Hannen (75), and Bill Tucholski (81).
In the Senior division Tommy Presperin – 74; Jim Hannen – 75; and Bill Tucholski – 81.
Statesmen Division low net winners (with medals), from left: Roger Hill (88), Jim Davis (87), and Ken Holtz (94).
In the Statesman division, Jim Davis had an 87 for first; Roger Hill in second and Ken Holtz third.
The winning Scramble team with 67, from left: Bryant Murphy, Micah Bosman, Herbie Klinenberg and Joe Trefilek. Jim Jeselnick is at far let and Spike Abernethy back right.
In the Scramble division the team of Micah Bosman, Herbie Klinenberg, Bryant Murphy, and Joe Trefilek claimed the top prize. Placing second one shot behind was the First Tee team from Valparaiso, headed by coach Jim Jeselnick, coach Max Abel, and first-time hickory players.
The First Tee Scramble team from Valparaiso, Ind. From left: Coach Jim Jeselnick, Abram Jones, First Tee Coach Max Abel (back center), and Raecenya Gomez. They turned in a 68.
Abram Jones and Raecenya Gomez. Spike Abernethy presented the First Tee Students with a golf book and an authentic hickory club. The third place team was Brad Baird, Linda Baird, Andy Irving, and Carrie Irving.
All flight winners received medals. Micah Bosman scored Closest to the Pin on hole 15 while
Open champion Rick Grassel holed a 28-foot bomb to claim Longest Putt on hole No. 3. Both received gift certificates.
The participants enjoyed a trade show in the clubhouse as well as box lunches prior to the tournament. Thanks go to SBCC and GHS member Spike Abernethy for his help with this tournament and the medal presentation, SBCC Head golf professional Greg Helmkamp, and SBCC Assistant professional Jeremy Julian.
Thanks to the generosity of the participants in the special raffle, generous donations were made to the First Tee chapters of South Bend and Valparaiso.