Peter van Eekelen reports:
The 2023 New Zealand Hickory Open, March 13, 2023, had a stellar beginning with an opening competition for the Anzac Flask, a team event between New Zealand and Australia. This is the first time an international match has been contested has been played with wooden shafts since the golden age of hickory.
The winning Australian team for the Anzac Flask, a preliminary contest in advance of the NZ Hickory Open. Sir Bob Charles is fourth from left. From left, Alan Grieve (2011 U.S. Hickory Open champion), Alan Baker, Peter Monk, Sir Bob, Darron Watt (holding the Anzac Flask), Bruce Collins , and Greg Mellifont.
Australia put in an experienced team of Bruce Collins, Greg Mellifont, Alan Grieve, Peter Monk, Andrew Baker, Darron Watt and Andrew John Baker against the untried New Zealand team.
With a USHO champion, Alan Grieve, and three Australian hickory champions on the Australian team it was always going to be a big ask for New Zealand to meet the bar, but the result ended up being closer than expected.
Andrew Baker and Darron Watt blitzed the field in the mornings foursomes with Bruce Collins and Andrew Baker taking the first and second in the Singles matches in the afternoon
A tightly fought match with Australia the victors 108 vs 110
Al Grieve, speaking on behalf of the Australian team, said they would be defending the Anzac Flask back at Christchurch Golf Club. The Australian team went on to score well in the NZ Hickory Open on the Sunday with Bruce Collins taking first net followed by Andrew Baker on second and Greg Mellifont, back from injury, on third. An outstanding result.
The day concluded with the Australian team having an intimate one-on-one with Sir Bob in the Charles room at the Christchurch Golf Club, which is a living museum of all of Sir Bob’s golfing achievements on display, followed by prizegiving and dinner
Sir Bob Charles, the Open Champion in 1963, is one of the key people leading the renaissance of hickory golf in New Zealand. The NZ Hickory Open is a testament to his belief that hickory golf is the game for the people. As member of the NZ Hickory Open committee, he was key in setting up the course to represent the historical significance of Prestwick’s 12 hole Open Championship layout 150 years ago.
The winning Australian Anzac Flask Team photographed with Sir Bob Charles, winner of the New Zealand Hickory Open, 2023.
As for the New Zealand Hickory Open, the event was simply amazing. The day opened with 12-year-old bagpiper Oscar Browitt piping in the day and international players being driven to the starting area in vintage cars. Top men and women players were in the field along withe aforementioned Sir Bob and the game was on.
Sir Bob took honors, followed in second by Mark Larson and Catherine Bell in third.
Click here for a local newspaper article about Sir Bob’s victory.
Mr. Peter van Eekelen has created a first-rate account of the day, including photographs. Please click here for a PDF of results and the story.
“It was a special moment seeing Sir Bob receive the coveted NZ Hickory Open Trophy,” van Eekelen said. “This was the culmination and reward for bringing an idea into reality and then being able to compete at the highest level to, once again, place another Championship outcome on an already crowded golfing CV.”
Sir Bob Charles and the 2023 New Zealand Hickory Open trophy.
Catherine Bell, left, and Jacqui Lowe were among the women players in 2023 NZ Hickory Open field.