Feb. 28, 2019
General Ken Holtz, commander of hickory golf legions in the great American Southwest, files this report on the 2019 Arizona Desert Hickory Championship (which just gets better and better each year!):
Each year, for two days in February, the golfing world of Sun City West, Ariz., goes back in time about 100 years… and has way more fun than most modern golfers can imagine.
Seventy-five players found their way to Sun City West, and the Grandview & Pebblebrook Golf Courses for the 2019 Arizona Desert Hickory Tournament, Feb. 23-24. From across the USA, Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark along with playing groups from Sun City West, Tatum Ranch, Buckeye, Pebblecreek, Scottsdale, Surprise and Goodyear, players assembled to test their skills. The tournament supported a field for Championship, Senior, New-To-Hickory, Super Senior and a division of Lady Players.
Weather preceding the event on Thursday was not kind, with hail, wind, rain, and chilly temps. But sunshine, cool mornings, and pristine afternoons on Saturday and Sunday provided perfect playing conditions, creating a wonderful winter get-a-way for our visitors from the North. Players and guests enjoyed the golf, hospitality, weather, prizes and great fun!
The Arizona Desert Hickory Championship is not all golf. There is a strong social component for gathering with good friends and enjoying the time together.
After golf on Saturday, we enjoyed a club swap with eight tables of treasures to examine. In the evening there was great food including ribs, prime rib sliders, chicken salad, corn on the cob, brownies, and a veggie option. Entertainment was provided live by Boomerang and the Sunshines, a great Beatles-themed combo. What with beer, wine, soda, water… it all added up to lots of fun!
After golf on Sunday, more than $1,000 in prizes were awarded. There were door prizes, too, raffles, and a silent auction.
Tournament Results
There were spectacular performances with many rounds posted in the 70s. (See the full leaderboard below.) Steve Simer, of Cave Creek, Ariz., was our overall Tournament Champion. John Kienle, of Rio Rancho, N.M. was second, giving Simer a run for his money throughout.
The Senior division was hotly contested, too, finishing in a three-way tie between Vernon Goodwin of Phoenix, Ariz.; Chris Reems of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Can.; and Ken Holtz of Sun City West. Determined by a scorecard playoff, Vernon was our ultimate winner, with Reems second, and Holtz in third.
Kim Braly of Scottsdale, Ariz. was the New-To-Hickory winner, followed closely by David Thomas of Sun City West.
Matt Nelson of La Quinta, Calif., took the our Super Senior Division. In second was John Mabry of Phoenix.
Ladies Division winner was Susan Tracy of Star, Idaho, followed by last year’s champion, Sharon Paumen of Cave Creek, Ariz.
Click here to see a full gallery of awards photos.
Additional Highlights
We are very proud to recognize Steve Simon as our 2019 “Willie Noble” Hickory Humanitarian Award Honoree. The award honors our late friend, Willie Noble, who meant so much to all of us for his friendship, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm for the game. He was a lifelong PGA professional who had a passion for teaching and trying new things. Steve perfectly epitomizes all those qualities and is a true gentleman. Past recipients include Tad Moore, and Chris McIntyre.
As this was our 7th annual event, and over 450 players have participated through the years, we like to recognize our loyal and long-time players. This year it was William Murphy who won the “Collectible Tee Gift Award” as one of six players in the current field who had played in all seven events.
Special Thanks
Thanks to our tournament committee; to the Sun City West Golf Operational staff; to Todd Patty, the greens and grounds superintendent; and to all the players for their support through the years. A personal thank you also goes to Janet Whitman of Riom, Ill., for providing our photography. Finally, the Saturday Night Tournament Hospitality was celebrated with special entertainment from Tim Polizzi’s Beatles-themed group. Thanks for a hard day’s night!
Dates for next year’s AZDHC are planned for Feb. 29-March 1, with a practice round available on Friday, Feb. 28. For information about the tournament contact Ken Holtz at k.holtz2430@gmail.com. For information about hickory golf, visit the website of the Society of Hickory Golfers at www.hickorygolfers.com.
