‘Vermonsters’ overwhelm field at first Findlay Championship

Golfers at the inaugural Alexander Findlay Hickory Open.

Twenty-three Hickory Golfers from New England and New York state gathered Friday, May 13, for the first annual Alexander Findlay Hickory Open Championship, sponsored by the Hickory Golfers of Massachusetts and The Country Club of Greenfield – “The Gateway Course to Hickory Golf in New England.”

“The Vermonsters” – Tom Wawrzeniak, Allen Johnson, Alex Karner, Dick Walden, Matt Dodds, Peter Nowlan, and Gary Eley – showed up with “fire in their eyes” and ready to play.

Alex Karner and Tom Wawrzeniak will have their names engraved onto, the now coveted, Alexander Findlay Championship Trophy by winning Low Gross and Low Net respectively.

Bill Conant, who played with both Champions, commented that “Alex’s round of 74, and Tom’s round of 84 were two of the finest and most relentless,”  he has witnessed in his four years of playing hickory golf.

Alex and Tom also won the Low Gross and Low Net Stableford awards. Bill Wardwell, from the home course, took home the second place Stableford award and Francis Flood, from Avon, Conn., came in third.

Brian Siplo, from Pepperell, Mass., won the second place Net Stableford award, and another “Vermonster”, Allen Johnson took home the third place award.

Other players taking part in the event were: Dave Dickman, Jeff Blomstedt, Dave Beamer, Roberto Capra, Jack Crosby, Chris Gilgun, Sabino Iacovone, Kevin Mendick, Mike Johnson, Jim LaFleur, Joe Poirier, and Bob Young.

A delicious dinner buffet was served by The Terrazza Restaurant at the Country Club of Greenfield, during the awards ceremony.

Kevin Piecuch, PGA professional, and Patrick Maddock, PGA Apprentice, both SoHG members, did an outstanding job of organizing the event. They also provided bagpipe music over the loud speakers to welcome the golfers and the National Anthem was played before the tee off.

Course Superintendent Bob Uguccioni and his staff did a wonderful job preparing the old links style course for hickory play.

Will Jacoby, of Steurer & Jacoby, generously donated a Model 50 Pencil Style Club Carrier for the raffle.

All attending were very generous with their support and the proceeds from the raffle will be given to The Jordan Schuman Foundation for Kindness Inc.
1st Annual Alexander Findlay Hickory Open Championship

1st Annual Alexander Findlay Hickory Open Championship