Eye for art helps Hannen to 2024 McNabb victory

By MacDuff

Early on, the 2024 McNabb Cup looked to have its largest field ever, several new entrants having been approved by the August & Ancient Committee that manages all aspects of the beloved tournament. As the tournament date drew near, several entrants wrote with anxious apologetic words to withdraw. In the end, it was two dozen of the best who played for the historic honor of a McNabb Cup championship. Among them several first-time hopefuls

Excitement and nervous tension gripped the players as they arrived at the hallowed White Lake Golf Club grounds, most heading for the shaded putting green behind the 18th hole; a few interrupted on their way by journalists from the various golfing media eager for a few words, a fresh angle, to satisfy pinched and peevish editors. Three-time McNabb champion Bill Ellington repeatedly fended off interview requests, saying he would only talk after the round at the bar in the media tent.

The number of women in the field doubled this year with the addition of Marci Likens of Winter Springs, Fla., who joined Kris Ellington of Wyandotte, Mich., for the honor of becoming the first woman to win The Cup since its original champion, Miss Isabel McNabb, in 1922. They were much carressed by the media who found them enchanting in every way. Their photos will soon grace the covers of the top golfing journals if their editors have any sense.

By the way, noted author Stephen Proctor, a golf journalist and writer of international renown (Monarch of The Green, 2019; and The Long Golden Afternoon, 2022), was also entered for The Cup. A golf historian with a shrewd understanding of historic events, he has become a Cup favorite. Mr. Proctor noted that:

“1922 was an epochal year for women’s golf. In addition to winning her first of six U.S. Amateurs, Glenna Collett won both the Eastern Amateur and the North and South Amateur, a clean sweep of what would have been her three majors! That same year, Joyce Wethered established her dominance over Cecil Leitch with an overwhelming victory in the British Ladies Championship at Prince’s Sandwich. In addition, she took the Surrey Ladies Championship and scored one of her eight victories in the Worplesdon Mixed Foursomes (with seven different men as her partner!)”

For the McNabb Cup in 2024, new entrants included the handsome Traverse City publisher Mr. James Kalajian, known to possess a keen and cunning game and considered one who would give Mr. Ellington a run for his money. Mr. Bill Geisler, of Winter Springs, Fla., no stranger to the hickory world, himself the holder of a number of modern titles, made it clear that his would be an incomplete career without a McNabb title to cap all. Mr. Michael Callahan, of Rochester, Mich., a thoughtful student of the game and the 2023 U.S. Hickory Open Senior Champion at the Inwood Country Club, was thought a favorite by many of the sporting odds makers in Las Vegas.

Other new faces rounding out the field included Mr. Brad Bright of Holland, Mich., and Mr. Jim Hannen of Spring Arbor, Mich. These two fellows came in under the radar, but the A&A Committee thought it wise to include these honorable gentlemen in the 2024 field.

One particular name excited more than one journalist’s attention. Following a prolonged absence, Mr. Howard Vogel of Traverse City, Mich., had entered for another attempt at the title. Michigan players familiar with his accurate game and deft touch, would never count him out of any event in which he is entered.

Along with its familiar competitors, then, this was the field that would face the agreeable rigors of the White Lake Golf Club course for the 2024 McNabb Cup title. The course, nine holes of which were created by Tom Bendelow in 1916, and nine more a few years later by the club’s top amateur in collaboration with a  high ranking member, was in beautiful shape, albeit recovering from its recent annual aeration. It is a gem to play, eliciting as it does both delight and focus on one’s game to navigate its compelling features. The weather was uncommonly delightful, holding in the mid-80s and sunny with moderate breezes. 

Secretary of The Cup J.H. Davis Jr. called the players to first tee where outgoing Captain of the Cup Bill Tucholski introduced 2024 Capt., Mike Pishlo, to the assembled players, journalists and gallery. Speeches… play boldly; give no quarter; respect for one another, the course and Miss. McNabb; honors to be had; recognitions, etc… and finally Capt. Pishlo drove in the 13th playing of The McNabb Cup with a capital stroke. The game was on.

The McNabb Cup is played under modified Stableford scoring, each playing doing his or her best to come near or below his or her handicap score on any given hole, to achieve as many points as possible.

Ms. Likens and Mrs. Ellington, out early, fought to a tie on the outgoing nine, the longer of the two sides, both claiming 17 Stableford points. On the inward holes, however, the true Bendelow nine with its devilish 14th (the green lies directly behind a small pond and its approach is guarded by a pine tree in the left corner of the fairway about 120 yards out, forcing players to go far to the right and then across a creek – this hole is much reviled), Ms. Likens played steady golf while Mrs. Ellington fell prey to the 14th, its evil effects lingering through several remaining holes. It really is a tough hole, that 14th. Ms. Likens came in with a 33 to Mrs. Ellington’s 23. 

Mark this, said Secretary Davis, if The Cup is to finally have a true women’s contest, then the 2025 championship will see medals awarded to the women competitors. Meanwhile, the A&A Committee applauds the two ladies for their golf this year, esteeming them the two women golfers of the world.

As to the men, while the true low handicap men fought back and forth (the 14th tripped up not a few) one player quietly posted the best round of the day and it did not come from the final pairings, rather from a threesome of The Cup’s most elegant gentlemen.

It was a story too good to be true and re-write men the world over were put through their paces while harried on-course reporters fought each other over the few available rotary phones to file their stories.

The amiable golf collector and noted craftsman Bruce Markwardt (Gross Ile, Mich.) fired the first salvo, posting an unbelievable 42; unbelievable that is, to those who are familiar with his regular scores.

The scoreboard clerks were busy as the scores came steadily in… Mr. Kalajian and Mr. David Lipa (Wyandotte, Mich.) with 33s; Mr. Tucholski with a 34; Todd “Doc” Riker of Muskegon, Mich., with a 35; former champions Scott Staudacher and Ellington both with 37s. Messers. Callahan and Vogel could do no better than 38 and 39 respectively. Max Hollon, a former USHO Senior champion, posted a 39 as well, causing appreciative nods from the golfing cognoscenti.

The excitement grew to astonishment when former art gallery owner and art framer Mr. Jim Hannen handed in his card with a sterling 45, a number that set typewriters clicking, all the while reporters keeping an eye on Mr. Geisler, the glib and quotable Florida sharpshooter, who was still on the course. When his score was posted – a 43! – all eyes turned to Mr. Hannen who looked the frenzied mob of reporters in the eye and calmly asked, “What?”

In the media tent, all the attention was on Mr. Hannen, but Mr. Ellington, far from being disappointed, was his usual ebullient self, holding forth at the bar, sharing stories and laughs with friends and acquaintances. When asked about the loss, he merely smiled, held up and glass and saluted the 2024 champion.

The 2024 champion was in the media tent, still a little dazed, but his usual gallant self was soon to assert itself as he politely answered question after question. The former art framer, also known to take brush to canvas himself on occasion, is possessed of an eye for color and art of composition and texture; the nuances of chiaroscuro are as child’s play to him. Dressed in a handsome blazer with matching fedora, Mr. Hannen told the reporters that this, his first visit to the White Lake Golf Course, was a perfect confluence of golf both rising to the occasion and a course that “perfectly suited my eye.” When a course suits an eye such as his, one nurtured with years of matching art with art, then all others must look for second place. Gentle spoken and with a bottomless depth of goodwill and deference, Mr. Hannen praised the course and its staff; he thanked his competitors for their company, and The Committee for their kindness in accepting his application for competition. As to winning the championship on his first visit, he could only blush and hoped that he might be allowed to return next year. 

Surely a champion to which Ms. Isabel McNabb herself might say “Here is a man of parts!”

Later, during the private celebrations held at the McNabb Cottage, to which media access is strictly forbidden, Capt. Pishlo announced that the 2025 Captain will be Mrs. Kris Ellington, the first woman captain in the history of The McNabb Cup. Quite right and long overdue that The Cup should welcome a woman captain. Ms. Ellington was pleased to accept, giving notice that her captaincy would introduce a new era of equality and decorum (this while looking squarely at a bemused Mr. Ellington, he feigning innocence).

The Ed Ronco Spirit of The Cup Award was given to Mr. Timothy Stroshine. The Award recognizes in one of our company those traits and values for which the late Mr. Ed Ronco was universally revered. Mr. Stroshine endeared himself to all present with the depth and sincerity of his emotional acceptance. His boundless good humor and cheer are welcome wherever he goes and are certainly hallmarks of his time spent with us at The McNabb Cup. The Committee values him greatly and hopes he will continue to make the annual pilgrimage to The Cup from his homeland in Ohio (a pilgrimage made sweeter by that sweet ride, a crimson red metallic 2006 Corvette Roadster with black leather interior – Tim does it up right!).

As the celebrations wound down, conversations took over on the open front porch of the McNabb cottage overlooking Lake Michigan, while the setting sun painted the sky with briliant colors for a lovely conclusion to a perfect day.

Will ye no come back?

A selection of photos from the 2024 McNabb Cup can be found below.

Results of the 2024 McNabb Cup
1st – Jim Hannen
2nd – Bill Geisler
3rd – Bruce Markwardt

Women’s Division
Marci Likens

Low Score Award
1st – Bill Geisler, 78
2nd – Michael Callahan, 80
3rd – Howard Vogel, 81*
*scorecard playoff with Bill Ellington

The McNabb Field for 2024
Brad Bright
Michael Callahan
Bill Ellington
Kris Ellington
Luke Fisher
Bill Geisler
Jim Hannen
Roger Hill
Max Hollon
Jim Jenkins
James Kalajian
Marci Likens
Dave Lipa
Bruce Markwardt
Jack Maynard
Fred Niles
Mike Pishlo
Todd Riker
Stephen Proctor
Lloyd Slinglend
Scott Staudacher
Tim Stroshine
Bill Tucholski
Howard Vogel