Summer gutty golf in full flower at Foxburg

Aug. 17, 2020
Event host Tom Johnson reports on the 12th annual Foxburg Hickory Championship, Aug. 14-15.

Our weather was excellent, warm in the mid-80s on Friday, cooler in the mid-70s on Saturday, nice breezes both days kept temperatures moderate. Long time Foxburg CC green keeper Jeff “Tex” Texter had the course in fine condition. The western Pennsylvania region suffered a very dry summer, so the course played fast but not easy with lush rough around slippery greens the size of manhole covers.

Opening play on Friday was spirited as always. Playing hickory golf on courses created for hickory period equipment is generally special. Foxburg, which dates to 1887, is a true gutty era course that provides an exclusive experience. I cannot express how important that point is for us who make the annual trek to Foxburg Country Club.

Excellent golf was displayed by many competitors. Several stand out as worthy of mention.

Mr. John Lavendoski posted a strong first round 80 in the Open Division. Open participants are required to use sand tees, play the ball down, and play the McIntyre Park ball (supplied by Dr. Dave Brown and the McIntyre Golf Ball Company) to replicate the early play associated with this layout. After first day play was completed, Mr. Lavendoski held a substantial lead over Mr. Deal Hudson and Mr. Tom Johnson (85, 86 respectively). Mr. Tim Flynn and Mr. John Crow Miller were also within reach, a few strokes further back.

The Braid Division leader was Mr. James Kaiser, with a tremendous round of 79. Breaking 80 on this par 73 layout is extraordinary. James finished with an 86 to maintain his lead and solid victory in the Braid Division. This is the second consecutive year James has won this crown, and to him we say, “Well done sir!”

In the Fownes Division, Mr. J. W. McMath led in our growing post-1900 field with 84 from the rear tees. Mr. McMath finished with a 79 for Saturday’s second round to earn the medalist honors, and another Foxburg title.  J. W. is the 2015 Foxburg Open Champion.

Returning to the main event, the Open Division, Mr. Lavendoski commenced with several indifferent iron shots in the morning round, allowing a few strokes of his lead over Mr. Hudson and Mr. Johnson to slip away. Once the final nine of the Championship began, when it was evident Mr. Lavendoski was dissatisfied with his mediocre play, he abruptly snapped several fine iron shots to pave his way to a third Championship round of 40 over the par 37 layout. Mr. Tim Flynn finished with a well-played second round to earn Senior Open honors.

Excellent results were posted by the following Division Champions:

Silver Putter Award                          Jim ‘Wally’ Koss       Low Member
Reserve Winner                               Bob Mirt                     Across All Divisions
Fownes Division Champion           J. W. McMath            Post-1900 Equipment
Braid Division Champion                James Kaiser            Pre-1900 Equipment
Open Senior Champion                 Tim Flynn                  Pre-1900 Gutty
Open Champion                              John Lavendoski     Champion Golfer of Foxburg Country Club for 2020

Many thanks to the following people who provided services or time to again make this an extraordinary event.

• Jeff Texter for his oversight of this historic location and arranging the layout exclusively for us.
• Ala Carte Catering providing extraordinary meals at the course Friday and Saturday. They have been with us all 12 years.
• Dave Brown and the McIntyre Golf Ball Company. The McIntyre Golf Ball Company has provided balls for us all 12 years.
•  Justin Spencer for taking time in his busy weekend to visit Foxburg to see the hullaballoo. He ended up playing nine holes of gutty golf and making dozens of new friends.
• We had roughly 20 spectators stationed or walking the course on Saturday. Their encouragement and enthusiasm were absolutely delightful. We thank all of them for taking the time to make us feel special.
• Robbie Thompson, club manager; Andy Rapp and the balance of the board of Foxburg CC for their contribution and permitting us to use their facility.
• John Crow Miller for further defining, publishing, and sharing his research on the original stone sand tee boxes at the course. His contribution is a nice collectible the 2020 participants will truly cherish. [Mr. Miller published an exceptional monograph titled, Foxburg Country Club: The Stonehenge of American Golf. It is a single edition of 133 copies with meticulous research and photographs that document the creation and life of this American golfing treasure.]
• Dawn Welsh for being the upbeat, smiling, tireless ‘Cruise Director’ she has always been. Dawn and the course are the fabric connecting people to the Foxburg Hickory Championship.  Her attention to detail and response to our needs is the special sauce that makes the weekend.
• Additionally, a very special thank you to my incredible wife, Karen. The work she and her girls do is unseen by us who are consumed by the golf, but is truly understood and appreciated.

Karen and I receive many thanks and appreciative comments for hosting and organizing Foxburg. As you can see, it is the group above who make the annual event a success.

Many of you know that Foxburg is not just the oldest continuously used golf course in the country. While we love and appreciate the opportunity to play here, we also have a deep appreciation for the original artifacts and features within the course that pre-date what is generally considered organized golf in the United States.

The various forms of contributions and support we received from the group above and others were incredible. Combined with savings we were able to achieve with gifts and meals, we are proud to announce we are able to make an additional $500 contribution to the club on top of the normal fees.

Karen and I cannot express the depth of our gratitude and admiration of those who made trip to Foxburg. Your consideration to maintain a safe environment displayed respect and the best of human nature, taking care of and supporting each other.

The 13th annual Foxburg Hickory Championship is scheduled for Aug. 13–14, 2021. We hope you will find the time to join us.

Gutty golf, the hardest golf you will ever play, with the greatest people you will ever meet.

Be well!
Tom

The photos below are courtesy of Cal and Janet Whitman.