Washington State Hickory Open division winners. From left: Senior Net Champion Steve Malmquist; Novice Net Champion Lee Anderson; Ladies Champion Kristen McIntyre; Senior Champion Kit Ledbetter; Open Champion Grayson Giboney; Super Senior Champion Ralph Potter; Open Net Champion Devin Harmala; Junior Champion Kyle Cross; Junior Net Champion Joshua Cross; Novice Champion Torrin Westwood. Not pictured is Super Senior Net Champion Jerry Olson.
Thirty-four golfers competed in the 2016 Washington State Hickory Open on Saturday, Sept. 10. The venue was the Washington State Golf Association’s Home Course in DuPont, Wash. The Home Course was an assisting course to Chambers Bay at the 2010 USGA Amateur.
The greens were very firm and fast,, which made scoring brutal with hickory golf clubs. The wind was a constant 5-10 mph out of the North and after five hours of play Grayson Giboney, 15, emerged the winner with a very steady 74, besting by one stroke the score posted by the 2015 champion, former PGA pro Jim Von Lossow.
Giboney’s two-over score tied the Washington State Hickory Open record set by PGA pro Colin Gants in 1999 at Jefferson Park. Scoring well with hickories is always tough, especially so in competition. For comparison, at the 1914 Open Championship at Prestwick, eventual champion Harry Vardon posted rounds of 73-77-78-78.
Tournament Director Durel Billy (and WSGA Board of Director) said at the trophy presentation: “Grayson, today you validated what you did two years ago. Well played against a strong field.” Giboney won the 2014 title with a 76.
Von Lossow, by the way, earned his PGA Tour card in the 1980s and made a few cuts and welcome paychecks. He was paired with Open Champion Tom Weiskopf at the Western Open one year. After the round, Weiskopf said to Von Lossow, “I would have won more if I had your cool demeanor.”
AP National Captain Barry Field, left, with Grayson Giboney, and Durel Billy, tournament director.
The Full Results:
1 Grayson Giboney 74
2 Gabriel Tonan 77 (PGA Professional)
3 Devin Harmala 77
4 Steve Henneuse 79
5 Kit Ledbetter 81
6 Jim Von Lossow 83 (PGA Professional)
7 Brian Giboney 83
8 Durel Billy 84
9 Mike Durham 87
10 M. Scott 88
11 T. Westwood 88
12 R. Potter 88
13 J. Bucher 89
14 Jim Everham 91
15 Barry Field 92
16 J. Cross 92
17 Chris McIntyre 93
18 S. Malmquist 94
19 K. Gross 95
20 K. Jones 95
21 L. Anderson 96
22 J. Olson 97
23 D. Scott 99
24 J. Cross 100
25 G. Hollins 104
26 P. Flink 107
27 J. Wise 107
28 Tom Hogan 108
29 R. Mahugh 112
30 K. McIntyre 115
31 P. Kurz 142
32 C. Bronkema NC
33 C. Kennedy NC
34 Larry Bogert WD