The 12th annual Michiana Hickory Open returned to its original course in 2024 with a record number of 47 participants. The founder and former Golf Heritage Society president, Jim Jeselnick, welcomed the golfers to the Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame, ranked the No. 4 course in Indiana and the No. 9 Best College Course in America by GolfWeek magazine.
This popular late summer event had been held the past four years at South Bend Country Club, thanks to the help of GM Greg Helmkamp who was also the assistant pro at the Warren course when the event debuted in 2012; and Spike Abernethy, the Michiana assistant organizer.
All golfers enjoyed a modest but spirited trade show in the clubhouse prior to the start of play at 1 p.m. Thanks to the effforts of Mary Kay Jeselnick and the MHO committee, most golfers walked away with a hickory club that had been refurbished by Bruce Markwardt.
When the dust settled, Jeff Hunt emerged as the champion with a score of 79. For his efforts, Jeff received the first ever Borger Cup, so named to honor Tom Borger, a GHS member who helped to start the event and a Notre Dame graduate. Jeff also has his name on the permanent plaque and received a pro shop gift certificate. Scott Staudacher, a past president of the Society of Hickory Golfers, was 1st Low Net in the Open division, Joey Piatek captured 2nd, and Luke Fisher garnered 3rd. All winners received custom engraved boxed medals from Alexander Kirkwood & Sons in Scotland.
In the Senior Division, Rob Julian placed first, GHS treasurer Michael Sloan was second, and Jim Zartman third. In the Statesman division, Joe Piatek Sr. placed first, Jim Hannen was second, and Bruce Markwardt third. The Scramble division had some serious competition with the team of Tom Irving, Andy Irving, Carrie Irving, and Kyle Cosand shooting a 65, narrowly defeating the brand new Notre Dame employee team of Bill Bowen, Kyle Demeter, Nick Bentley, and Austin Oosteroff, who shot a 66, their first time playing with hickory clubs. Taking the bronze medals were Bryant Murphy, Micah Bosman, Herbie Klinenberg, and Jeff Warkenthein, last year’s Scramble champs, with a 70. Closest to the pin on No. 3 was Jim Zartman. Don Zimmerman had the Longest Putt.
Thanks to the generous support of the silent auction and the club raffle, checks were presented to the First Tee programs of Valparaiso and Michiana. The Valparaiso team of coaches – Mike Ripley, Jacob Gaghan, Abe Jones, and Corrine Jones – had a great time. Special thanks go to Head Pro Kyle Demeter and her staff for accommodating our every need and for the family of Tom Borger for sponsoring the Borger Cup trophy and the Kirkwood medals. Special thanks also go to the First Tee team of Michiana for participating along with three current Notre Dame students.
On the day before the tournament, Denny and Cathy Lane sponsored the Michiana Featherie Challenge featuring hand-made feather golf balls at Studebaker Golf course. Nine people participated in either a 9- or 18 -hole experience and had a great time. Both Denny and Cathy had a table at the Saturday trade show where they explained how feather balls were made and offered replicas for sale.
-
- The 2024 Michiana Hickory Open players.
-
- Jeff Hunt, left, was the Open Division champion for the 2024 Michiana Hickory Open.
-
- Statesmen Division winners, from left: Jim Hannen, Joe Piatek Sr., and Bruce Markwardt.
-
- Senior Division winners, from left: Jim Hartman, Rob Julian, and Michael Sloan.
-
- Spike Abernethy, left, with Tom Irving, captain of the winning scramble team.
-
- Second place scramble team, from left: Kyle Demeter, Nick Bartley, Bill Beven, and Austin Oosteroff.
-
- Third place scramble team, from left: Herbie Klinenberg, Jeff Warkenthien, Bryant Murphy, and Micah Bosman.