March 3, 2019 – Tournament Director Michael Sloan reports:
The second annual Houston Hickory Team Challenge was held Feb. 9-10 at High Meadow Ranch Golf Course in Tomball, Texas. We had nine teams, which translates to 18 players.
High Meadow Ranch Golf Course is unique in that it has three 6-hole loops instead of two 9-hole loops. We play the first six as a scramble, the second six as best ball, and the final six as a shamble.
Saturday dawned a little cool and overcast. Armed with hand warmers kindly and wisely provided in the goody bag, gloves and ear muffs we braved the weather and made a memory that will last a lifetime. Due to an abundance of rain during the past few weeks some holes played much shorter than usual. It was fun to play a par five from 190 yards, so if you were on the green you were putting for eagle. Okay, not really, but it was fun just the same. Saturday’s scores were very competitive with no team shooting above 80 and a low score of 65 by two of the teams. One of those hot teams was playing its first hickory round. After the round we all gathered for dinner at the course.
The tournament also raises money for the First Tee of Greater Houston with a great raffle. We raised $1,350, $150 more than last year. Doug Earle, executive director of the Houston First Tee program joined us for Saturday’s dinner and gave us an update on the program. There are over 350,000 kids in the First Tee program in Houston, most of whom participate through the physical education program in their school. Betsy Harris, a program director with The First Tee, also helped with the raffle.
Sunday was much warmer and the scores were lower. The winning team of John Willbanks and Ken Jackson posted a 63 punctuated by a hole-in-one by John. (Click here to see John’s report of his ace.) Lunch was served after the round and the raffle conducted. Everyone went home with a raffle prize. The Houston Hickory Team Challenge is about golf, fellowship, and giving back.
Trophies are awarded through sixth place. The winners are as follows:
1st Place – John Willbanks and Ken Jackson – Total score 128
2nd Place – Campbell Ross and Travis Ola (First-time hickory players) – Total score 131
3rd Place – Scott Pilgrim and Nick Flaim – Total score 133
4th Place – Doug Shackleford and Pete League – Total score 135
5th Place – Bill Decker and Deal Hudson – Total score 136
6th Place – Hal Coward and Steve Gullion – Total score 143
As you can see if you come to play you need to bring your A-game because it is really competitive. We invite you all to come out next year the second week of February 2020 and join us for a great time.
The best part is getting to dine with all your good friends. The event also raised $1,350 for the First Tee of Houston.
Snappy foursome. From left are Doug Shackleford, Pete League, Jeffrey Havlock, and Scott Bellamy.
Warming up on a cool day at the 2019 Houston Team Challenge.
The winning team of Ken Jackson, left, and John Willbanks. John had a hole-in-one during his round. See the reports on holes-in-one from the Home Page of the website.