Rich Schmidt, Captain of the Carolina Hickory Golf Association, reports on the second annual CHGA Open Championship.
Our 2022 championship was contested June 23-24 on the sporty 9-hole Tryon Country Club course. Players go around twice, and play two different greens on hole No. 5 /15 – straightaway the first time, and on the second, a sharp dogleg right over a pond to a sweet little green tucked into a grove of trees.
In the Senior division, playing on his home ground, Doug Gelbert posted a 73 on day 1, leaving the rest of the Senior field wondering what golf course he played. Doug had an 8-shot lead heading into day 2 over past champion Deal Hudson, Russell Eaves, and Andy Moye. That big lead rapidly vanished on the front 9 with Doug not sleeping well on the lead! An apparent lost ball on No. 9 might have sealed Doug’s fate, but the ball was found with seconds to spare, preventing Doug from going back to the fairway and logging a possible double bogey or worse. From there he steadied himself on the back, making a string of pars coming in, to hold on for the win. Well played, Doug. Deal came in two shots back for second place.
In the Net competition, Bob Georgiade bested his handicap both days – by 4 on day 1 and 8 on day 2 to run away with low net. Andy Moye was second with a combined 4 under par. Well played lads!
In the Open division, defending champion Gordon Preddy survived a very tough challenge from pro Gil Feagin to repeat and retain the claret jug. Gordon took a 2-shot lead into day 2 and felt the heat from Gil’s sporty 74. Preddy maintained his composure, answering with a brave 75 to win by one.
The Net division was tight as well, with Lee Burton’s 151 nipping three others at 152. Lee’s net 72 on day 1 was one of only two net scores at par or better for the competition. (Henry Allan Pfeiffer had 71 on day 2). Rich Grula, Peter Bliudzius, and Karl Nagy came in at 152, Grula winning second in a match of cards.
To say that the Tryon course is a perfect hickory venue would be an understatement. It is a special, special place and we look forward to returning next June, and welcoming all those who may fit it into their calendars.
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- Participants at the 2022 CHGA Open Championship.
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- CHGA Captain Rick Schmidt presents a framed map of the Tryon CC course to its professional Gerald Weathers.
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- The Tryon CC framed map.
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- The CHGA Open Championship trophies.
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- The CHGA Senior Division scoreboard.
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- The CHGA Open division scoreboard.