Playing pre-1935 hickory shafted clubs, 88 players celebrated the 12th Arizona Desert Hickory in Sun City West, Ariz. Equipped with vintage equipment, and attired in knickers, argyle socks, woolen caps and vintage outfits, they challenged Grandview & Pebblebrook Golf Courses in grand style over a two-day competition.
During the last weekend of February, players from across the USA and Canada, and a few international contestants joined with Arizona hickory golfers from; Sun City West (SCW), Tatum Ranch, Buckeye, Pebblecreek, El Mirage, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Surprise, Payson, Sedona and Goodyear to compete. The tournament supported a field for Championship, Senior, New-To-Hickory, Super Senior, Legends 78+, and a Division of Lady players.
All players commented on the excellent weather, course conditions and fantastic greens. Many attending were from out of town and thoroughly enjoyed their get-away from winter to our beautiful SCW community. Players and guests enjoyed the golf, hospitality, entertainment, weather, prizes and fun.
Given the great conditions, players turned in some spectacular performances. In the Championship Division (age 59 and younger) Dave “Digger” Johnson ( Sun City West) was our overall Tournament Champion, with a two-day total of 72/76. Matt Stovall (Litchfield Park, Ariz.) took second with 77/77.
Our Senior Division (age 60-69) winner was won with an outstanding performance by Cliff Martin (Scotsdale, Ariz.) who shot a 5 under, two-day total of 72/67. Second place was captured by Steve Simer (Tatum Ranch Golf Club) with 75/75.
The New-To-Hickory Division winner was our very own Mark Crawford of Sun City West with 81/77. Runner up was Kyle Steinseife (Cave Creek, Ariz.) with 85/81. Both of these players picked up their hickory clubs just before the competition.
The Super Senior Division (age 70-76) was won by John Henry Williams (Bend, Ore.) with 77/ 2. Our runner up, Chris Reams of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Can., shot 82/70.
The Legends Division (age 78+) was won by Kenn Looten (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Can.) with 90/79. Our runner up was Mike Kaus (Tatum Ranch Golf Club, Ariz.) with 84/86.
The Ladies Division is a competitive one with golfers who take a back seat to no one. Winner Sue Tracy (Star, Idaho) shot 74/76. Runner up Jane Pohlman (Omaha, Neb.), turned in an 82/79.
Click here for a PDF of the entire scoreboard, plus more photos.
Click here for more photos of the 2024 Arizona Desert Hickory on Facebook.
Additional Highlights
This year’s entertainment was provided by the Scottish Rovers – Angus Rollo, direct from Scotland on piano and accordian, and his good buddy Cal Whitman on drums. After a full day of golf, everyone still had enough energy to dance well into the evening.
Angus Rollo, left, and Cal Whitman as the Scottish Rovers provide the musical backdrop for the 2024 AZDH.
Our Best Dressed Awards went to Barbara Fulbright (Omaha, Neb.) with a beautiful vintage 1920s outfit; and to Doug Griffen (Neenah, Wisc.) who sported a dapper kilt. Note: His brother Jim Griffen, who also played, shared the following, “I think Doug made the klt himself from one of our Mom’s old tablecloths.”
Charity Auction
A special auction was held to raise funds for SCW Charities. Tad Moore of Tad Moore Golf and Susan Tracy, who handcrafts beautiful golf head covers, donated beautiful vintage golf items. We raised $345 and that amount was matched by Saini Smiles Dentistry of SCW to make our total donation to the SCW Foundation of $690. Thank you to all who supported this donation.
Special Thanks
Thanks go out to the tournament committee; the Sun City West Golf operational staff; to Todd Patty, the greens and grounds superintendent, and the support of all the players. A personal thank you also goes to our Tournament Volunteers. Thank you!
Dates for next year’s 13th annual Arizona Desert Hickory tournament is planned for the last weekend in February. For information about the tournament, please contact Ken Holtz k.holtz2430@gmail.com.
2024 AZDH Champions, from left: Ken Looten, Legends Champion; Cliff Martin, Senior Champion; Mark Crawford, New-To-Hickory Champion; Digger Johnson, Overall Champion; John Henry Williams, Super Senior Champion; and Ken Holtz, tournament director.
Sue Tracy was Ladies Champion at the 2024 Arizona Desert Hickory.