Jim ‘Wally’ Koss reports:
The Grand Event:
Ernie captures yet another title as two new-to-hickory gents garner their first Wisconsin titles while Rob and Jen Kress capture the tightly contested scramble championship.
Our 9th annual Pay It Forward Charity Challenge, hosted by Thornberry Creek at Oneida, was an outstanding success. We were graced with blue skies and a cooling southerly wind. All agreed that the weather could not have been more perfect. It is duly noted that the quantity of wee nips consumed throughout the day easily eclipsed the old record, perhaps never to be broken – until next June.
The Iroquois course was in beautiful condition as 22 players competed in one of three divisions: Championship Gutty; Braid; or Scramble. The superintendent agreed to cut holes in front of the greens, thus providing an authentic historic experience of putting on green speeds of 6 to 6 and a half, similar to the Hagen-Jones era.
At the end of play, Ernie Ernst captured yet another title in the Championship Gutty division with a stunning 69. The Braid division was won by hickory rookie, Keith Hansen, with 74; and the Scramble division – the most tightly contested of all – saw Rob and Jen Kress post 70, for a one-shot dramatic victory over their closest challengers and “former” friends.
But once again, the biggest winner of all was the spirit of the players and the unequalled camaraderie. And truth be told, a few more wee nips.
The afternoon awards ceremony and priceless prizes were held at the Koss home. Following a savory buffet – prepared by Top Chef Connor Dunning – all gathered for the iconic group photo. Once again, Jennifer Conger-Koss served as our photo historian. Our incomparable Emcee, Teddy Stevenson, conducted the priceless prize lottery where everyone claimed their favorite prize (or what remained after their name was called).
The following day, nine lads competed for the prestigious Auld Gawf three centuries of Gawf in under three hours challenge. Contestants carried three clubs, two of which were wood. They played three 3-shotter holes with a modern McIntyre bramble ball; three 2-shotter holes with Braid; and three 1-shotter holes with the Lane feathery.
In the end, it was putting finesse and a tough mental attitude that made the difference. All totaled 37-43 strokes in this highly competitive round. Another new to hickory player, Mel “Old Tom” Nieuwenhuis, claimed his first Wisconsin Hickory title with 37.
Next year we will celebrate our 10th Anniversary on Saturday, June 22, and the 4th annual Auld Gawf Challenge on Sunday, June 23. Sunday’s challenge will expand to 18 holes.
Looking ahead to next year, detailed information and registration will be posted in January. Participation is limited to the first 32 players who register.
The photos below were taken by Jennifer Koss Conger. A gallery of Jennifer’s photos may be found at
https://www.jennkoss.com/PIF23. The access code is hickory and the download pin is 2023.
Jennifer asks that if you post anything to social media, please add that the photos were taken by Jenn Koss Photography.
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- The players at the 2023 Pay It Forward Charity Challenge.
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- Ernie Ernst was the 2023 winner, shooting a terrific 69.
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- Couples enjoying the 2023 Pay It Forward Challenge. From left, Rob and Jen Kris, and Tom and Joan Gassner.
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- Couples enjoying the 2023 Pay It Forward Challenge. From left, Karen and Dave Long, and George and Lori Galligan.
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- Event host, the dapper and gracious James ‘Wally’ Koss.