Clear skies and great golf at the 2024 Australian Hickory Championship near Sydney

The Australian Hickory Open Championship, held over Warringah, Manly, and Cromer golf clubs, Sept. 8-10, 2024, on Sydney’s northern beaches, hosted over 50 keen hickory enthusiasts for the 29th playing of the tournament. Players from Australia, Japan, Canada, China, and New Zealand turned up to compete with their 100+-year-old hickory clubs, most dressed in period clothing. Organized and administered by the Australian Golf Heritage Society, the championship is the premier event in the Asia Pacific Hickory calendar.

Canadian Foursomes was the first event held on Sunday at host club Warringah, with its tight fairways and small greens. Quite a few “I’m Sorry’s” were heard. Club Captain Ian, General Manager Mark and resident Pro Rob were seconded into playing.

The standouts on the day were Craig Bernhardt (Manly) with partner Darron Watt, who plays his golf on sand greens at The Rock, near Wagga, turned in a 75 to beat Brendan Barnes (Sawtell) and Scott Bower (Canada) on the count back. Third place was between locals Phil Baird/Dave Saunders and Rob Richards/Wayne Wright on 77.  Brendan and Scott won the Handicap section with net 69, over runners up John Trevorrow (Metropolitan)/Peter van Eekelen (NZ), 70.

Manly GC hosted the first round of the Singles Championship. The course’s recent Thomson/Perrett design is in keeping with the club’s 120 years.

Many of the players struggled in negotiating their way around some of the hazards. Not so for local member Dave Saunders who recorded 76, helped considerably by a hole-in-one at the 127m 15th, the first ace in this tournament’s history. Tim Sayers (Bankstown) and Alex Sutherland (Eastlakes) were two shots behind.

The leading woman of the day was Suz Brown, also a local from Manly GC.

Leaders in the handicap section were Suguru Nakase (Japan) on 69 and Zhong Jung Hua (China), 67.

An enjoyable dinner followed at the Club, which displays a wonderful selection of Manly’s memorabilia  celebrating the centenary of the clubhouse.

Day two of the championship, hosted by Cromer GC, was a real test using original clubs on tight fairways. Cromer, founded in the 1920s, has a long history. Various redesigns over time have resulted in one of the toughest courses in Sydney.

Best score on the day was Craig Bernhardt’s 73, but three players could not be separated for the Championship on 154, Tim Sayers (78,76), Dave Saunders (76,78) and Justin Ryan from Bendigo (80,74). Alex Sutherland was one off the pace with 155.

Women’s Champion was Suz Brown (198), a clear winner over Kim Hastie (Metropolitan) and Rie Mitsuhashi (Japan).

Handicap honours were dominated by overseas players with Suguru Nakase on 125, followed by Xing Xiao Jun (China) 130, and Peter van Eekelen (New Zealand) 133.

For the second year, the over 70’s cup went to Brian Dolan (Concord) 169.

The presentation luncheon was the excellent Cromer BBQ. The overseas players could not believe the quantity and quality of the food.

It was good to have AGHS Patron and PGA Life Member Tom Moore in attendance and GSA President Kim Hastie up from Melbourne.

Following the presentation there was a Buy/Sell/Swap of hickories. There was a big display of good quality playable hickory clubs. Tom Moore took the opportunity to visit his back garage and brought a good quantity of clubs… at good prices!.  All but a few were sold, mostly to our visitors from Japan and China where hickories are in short supply.

All the players were impressed with the quality and presentation of the three courses and are looking forward to next year’s event.

A variety of photos from the event are shared below.