Peter Flory is 2019 Wisconsin Hickory Open champion

Sept. 10, 2019
Ernie Ernst reports:

The 8th annual Wisconsin Hickory Open is in the books. Three days of wonderful early fall weather made The Links course at Lawsonia shine. A field of 32 players made their way to Green Lake, Wisc. to participate.

Thursday was the practice day and players were out getting reacquainted with the Langford/Moreau design. A wet summer produced such thick rough that fairway shots were more than justly rewarded.

Of course, it was Opening Weekend for the National Football League, which is celebration its centennial, and there was much talk and excitement. The opening game on Thursday night featured the Green Bay Packers vs The Chicago Bears, teams that were among the first to play those 100 years ago. Many golfers wore their colors for the day (ala Payne Stewart), in support of their teams.

The great opening game was viewed during a pizza party hosted at the Players House on beautiful Green Lake. A favorite spot with visiting hickory golfers, this rental held upwards of 8-12 people. It was a great time to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. And, if reports have not yet made it to your ears, the Packers justly (I am a Green Bay fan, after all) won by a score of 10-3.

Friday brought 15-25 mph winds and clouds, and temperatures in the mid 60s, a good mix for a challenging day on the course. Eventual champion Mr. Peter Flory posted a fine 76 under the conditions and to challenging pin placements. In the Senior Division Mr. Ken Holtz (no stranger to Lawsonia) had a very fine 79, more on his challenges later.

There was a club swap and socializing in the afternoon followed in the evening by the famous Wisconsin Friday night traditional fish fry. No one went home hungry and the potato pancakes were outstanding.

Saturday was a sunny, calmer day and the golfers took advantage. Flory posted a fine 72 and runner up Mr. Steve Simer shot 74. Simer made an early run at Flory, but as we have seen many times, Flory can match this with scoring streaks of his own.

In the Senior Division, what seemed like an unbeatable 7-shot lead with nine holes to go, almost did not hold up for Holtz. Mr. George Burgland posted a dazzling 37 on the back (79 on the day) to eventually tie Holtz only to lose in a playoff.  Mr. Deal Hudson finally got it going on the back nine to post an excellent 36, even par on the last day, but it was not enough.

In the Legends Division, it was a two-person race between Mr. Jim Griffen and Mr. David Boyd. Both men shot a consistent score on both days and it took three holes of playoff golf before a tight approach shot on No. 3 enabled Griffen to secure the championship. Both men played well on each day and it was a shame only one could win.

We had a Ladies division this year, and hope to see this division swell with the addition of more entrants, as these fair contestants add class and style to the overall event. Ms. Anna Bengston was our 2019 Ladies Champion.

We thank all the players for attending and hope to see more new players in 2020. We have locked in the dates of Sept 17-19, for the 2020 Wisconsin Hickory Open. Come play in the WHO and then make the short drive to Kohler, Wisc. for the 2020 Ryder Cup. Practice rounds for the Ryder Cup start the day after our event ends and last four more days before the competition begins.

Open Division
Champion – Peter Flory – 144
Runner Up – Steve Simer – 158
Third Place – Ernie Ernst – 167

First Place Net – Mike Heller – 143
Runner up – Bert Coghill – 151
Third Place –  Jim “Doc” Eike – 155

Senior Division
Champion – Ken Holtz – 163 (Playoff winner)
Runner up – George Burgland – 163
Third Place – Dan Norstedt – 172

First Place Net – Dave Zilisch -139
Runner Up – Mark Larson – 151
Third Place – Richard Schmidt – 155

Legends
Champion – Jim Griffen – 163 (Playoff winner)
Runner Up – David Boyd – 163

First Place Net – Frank Rosenzweig – 143
Runner Up – James Clawson – 143

Ladies Division
Champion: Anna Bengston – 223
First Place Net – Lisa Bengston – 191