The 39th annual playing of the Heart of America Hickory Championship was played at Bright-Grand View GC in Des Moines, Iowa, July 15-17. Grand View is a 1902 design where nothing has changed except the trees, which have gotten taller and bigger! As usual a larger number of intrepid hickory golfers turned out for the event. They came from Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, and Iowa once again proving that if Bill Reed hosts it they will come.
As usual a great time was had by all golfers from super seniors (we prefer to call them “Statesmen”) to high school age golfers. A trade show was held Friday and Saturday evening, with social hour and great food each evening at the club. The Saturday evening raffle generated over $450 for the sign that will honor all Region 7 GCS members at the annual GCS conference in the Poconos; and for a contribution to the “Wee Ones,” a charitable fund for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Sad to report but no ladies competed this year. However, many ladies did grace us with their presence at the evening social and banquet.
There were a number of tournament competition divisions. The winners in each division are as follows:
Open Division
First Place Gary Youngberg 143
Second Place Jacob Johnson 156
Third Place Eric Metzdorf 167
Open Reserve Division
First Place Joe Bodnar 134
Second Scott Johnson 140
Third Larry Krebsbach 157
Senior Open Division
First Place Mike Harding 144
Second John Hutton 155
Third Robert Fletcher 166
Senior Reserve
First Place Mark Larson 126
Second Denny Olson 137
Third Mike Pishlo 140 (won score card playoff against Chris Hardy and Ed Ronco)
Statesman Open Division
First Place Max Hollon 165
Second Kelly Gay 171
Third Bill Reed 173
Statesman Reserve
First Place Peter Herrington 140
Second Lloyd Slinglend 142
Scramble Team event:
First Place Fisher, Piffer, Watson, Overton 122
Second Baylor, Luster, Copple, Ausen 131
Third Palar, Townsend, J Reed, J McKenzie 133
Next on the Region 7 rota are the Iowa Hickory Classic in September and the Fontenelle Hills invite in October.
Open Division winner Gary Youngberg, left, with tournament director Bill Reed.
Green-shirted men from the Wyandotte Hickory Organization in Michigan had a great time at the event. From left are: Ed Ronco, Mike Pishlo, Bill Reed, Lloyd Slinglend, Randy Condit, and Joe Bodnar.
Social hour conversations. This one included Peter Herrington, left, Ron Luster, and Larry Krebsbach.
Raffle items donated by Ron Luster, Bill Reed, and Duane Baylor.