The 20th annual Mid Pines Hickory Open welcomed about 75-80 golfers to the lovely Mid Pines golf course in Southern Pines this past Nov. 1-2. The weather was glorious, said one participant. The greens were tough, said another. Both agreed it was one of the best managed tournaments they had played in this year, from the course and conditions right on through to the hospitable staff and the service from golf professional Brett Harless and his staff.
The event proved its share of excitement, perhaps underscored by the birdie, eagle, double bogie start to his round from Otey Crissman III who started on No. 10. His hole-in-one on No. 11 is said to be only the second for this hickory tournament in its 20 years (the first was in 2018, by Deal Hudson, on No. 2). The significance of the fact was not lost on the emotional Crisman who is one of the finest of players and a true sportsman. If the double bogie on No. 12 served to balance out the fireworks of the first two holes, well, such is the game of golf.
And then there is Mr. Cory Martin, a roofer by trade, from the Myrtle Beach area of North Carolina, who is also a golf professional and often plays in min-tour events or small professional tournaments. In town for a pro-am, he met Tad Moore just prior to the Mid Pines Hickory Open and was granted entry into the event by Mr. Harless. Not owning his own hickory clubs, Mr. Martin met Tad just before his first round at Mid Pines and, in the parking lot, we are told, from Tad’s trunk, proceeded to purchase a short set of that clubmaker’s peerless MacGregor OA replicas, along with a brassie. Mr. Martin then set about to win his first hickory golf tournament, and in the most dramatic fashion.
At the end of 36, Martin was tied with Will Peterson of Florida. On the first playoff hole, No. 1, Martin ran down a 50-foot putt from just off the fringe for a most improbable birdie. Peterson’s 30-foot attempt for birdie to answer managed only an agonizing lip-out. Thus was Martin’s victory gained and another legend in the annals of the Mid Pines Hickory Open secured.
As for the ladies, young Bailey Weigandt of Louisville, Ky., always a tough competitor, hung on to best another hickory champion, Barb Kopec, by one stroke.
The event was also the occasion for the formal awarding of the Society of Hickory Golfer’s annual Mike Brown Award, which this year was given posthumously to Dr. Jay Harris, noted for his great generosity in hickory golf circles, his expertise in working with hickories, and his stellar play with them. Dr. Harris won the first U.S. Hickory Open, held in 2008 at the Mimosa Hills CC in Morganton, N.C. A who’s who of hickory golf luminaries spoke during the presentation, including Rob Ahlschwede (the SoHG’s equipment chairman); past SoHG presidents Chris Deinlein and Hamp Munsey; Bob Georgiade, a lifelong friend of Dr. Harris and a fellow club expert; and close friend Bill ‘Lang Willie’ Engelson.
Dr. Jay Harris
Following the final banquet, Brett Harless thanked everyone for participating and welcomed them all to participate in the 21st Mid Pines Hickory Open, planned for a similar spot on the calendar in 2024.
Click here for full results of the 2023 Mid Pines Hickory Open.
(Click on any of the categories to see the results list.)
Click here for a list of awards and prizes.
Gross division winners for 2023:
Ladies– Bailey Wiegandt – 92-95 — 187
Open– Cory Martin – 76-77 — 153
Senior– Bill Geisler 78-82 — 160
Super Senior– Otey Crisman III – 74-76 — 153
Grand Masters– Rusty Wells – 79-76 –155
The 2023 Net champions in each division:
Ladies– Barbara Kopec – 76-76 — 152
Open– James Ciganek – 80-66–146
Senior– Bill Andrews – 75-74 – 149*
Super Senior– William Martin – 71-76–147
Grand Masters– Chris Deinlein 73-72–145
Champion Cory Martin is on the far right hand side of the group photo.