Eighteen players gathered for the third annual Chautauqua Hickory Open, March 15-16, at the Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. Most of the players were members of the Society of Hickory Golfers (www.hickory golfers.com), an international organization dedicated to encouraging the use of these clubs from early in the last century.
Players came from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Wisconsin, a five-hour or more trek for most of the competitors. Ted Kopec of Niceville, Fla., won the trophy for low gross score and Greg Roberts of Foley, Ala. (and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) won the low net trophy. Both of their names will be added to the Tournament Champions Plaque on display at the course. Tobby Taylor of Collinsville, Miss. received the best dressed award, Jimmy Wilkins of Holcomb, Missi., and Deal Hudson of Lilburn, Ga., were the runners-up in this category.
The tournament is held each spring on the Saturday and Sunday closest to St. Patrick’s Day.
Deal Hudson, left, Tobby Taylor and Jimmy Wilkins set the bar for well-dressed hickory players at the Chautauqua Hickory Open.
The players at the 2025 Chautauqua Hickory Open.
Ted Kopec, left, was the low gross winner at the 2025 Chautauqua Hickory Open. With him is tournament host Steven Miller.
Greg Roberts, right, won the low net at the 2025 Chautauqua Hickory Open. Tournament director Steven Miller is at left.