May 20, 2023
Hickory golf has finally made it to Idaho, thanks to Tom and Sue Tracy and the members of the Northwest Hickory Players. The inaugural SPUD CUP is in the books! Thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to the fun and camaraderie.
Tom Tracy reports on the event:
The inaugural Spud Cup hickory event was held May 19 at River Birch Golf Course in Star, a short drive from the state capital of Boise. Twenty-seven diehard or just curious players competed in both team and individual events on a warm, sunny Idaho afternoon, followed by a “Spudfest” blowout with prize giving, dinner potato bar (of course), drinks and laughs.
Seven teams played in a one-gross, two-net per hole comp, with the “Bakers” team of Spensky, Ahlschwede, Nero and Baker (really) edging out the “Au Gratins” of Von Lossow, Bavelock, Driscoll and Nero. Ten players were new to hickory, with clubs generously provided by Rob Ahlschwede, Jim Von Lossow, J. H. Williams and Martin Pool.
The newbies acquitted themselves well, with the top gents’ gross award going to Burke Spensky, a qualifying medalist in last year’s U.S. Mid Amateur, played at Nantucket Island. Burke fired a stellar two over par 75, with towering tee shots of 280 yards using Tom Tracy’s driver, which had never been so abused.
Ladies’ low gross went to Sue Tracy, the reigning World Hickory Open champion, but only by one shot over another newcomer, Diana Sellers, who nearly upset the champion with solid drives and a deft short game.
Low net for the men and ladies were won by Northwest Hickory Players stalwarts Eddie Johnson and Roberta Robbins, respectively. Solid rounds by both.
The assistant professional at River Birch, Jon Albright, also shone in his first hickory event, nearly holing out for an ace to garner the KP award and winning the long putt prize as well, proving that even professionals can get greedy.
The after-event Spudfest was a rousing success, as proven by the slim spud fixings remaining by the time official scorekeepers Von Lossow and Tracy made it to the venue. Plenty of spuds, though, and we have been assured by local farmers that next year’s reprisal will not run short of Idaho’s famous tuber.
Special congratulations to the other big winners:
Men’s Runner-Up Gross – Eric Larson (winning a putt-off over Jon Albright)
Runner-Up Net – Tom Tracy (in a putt-off over Jim Von Lossow and Mike Nero)
Ladies’ Runner-Up Net – Bev Banner
Looking forward to SPUD CUP 2024!!
Tom & Sue
Click on any photo below to bring up the photo gallery.
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- News of the Spud Cup cannot be contained and made front page news in the local media.
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- Spud Cup hosts Tom and Sue Tracy
