June 5
By Jim Clawson
Dear Virginia Hickory Players and Friends,
We had a small outing this past week playing Gutties at Old Trail Golf Club (www.oldtrailgolf.com ). The results are shown below. Eight matches so far in the year-long competition. On that day we discussed what balls to play. In the end, all played the McIntyre Vardon ball, a bramble surface on a limited flight ball – which I had brought and really like. The other three players became enthusiastic converts. Terry suggests that for our gutty matches this year we all agree to play the Vardon Limited Flight ball. I recommend this ball AND will leave it up to the players in any match to agree on handicaps, balls, tees, and all other conditions of their match. Here’s a link to the McIntyre Golf page for the Vardon ball (limited flight, the middle one): https://www.mcintyregolf.com/golf-balls/vardon
We will have some with VaHGA logos as tee gifts for the Gutty Gopher sponsored by VaHGA later this year. And we will have a Park ball / sand tee Open division as well. Anyway, we had a blast. We also decided that we would include NINE HOLE MATCHES this year each good for one point. So, gutty players, schedule your matches and send me the results.
| VIRGINIA CHAMPIONSHIP GUTTY GOLFER OF THE YEAR | ||||||
| DATE | Course | Distance | Player 1 | Points | Player 2 | Points |
| 2/13/2020 | Keswick Full Cry | 4,809 | Eric Wagner | 3 | Jim Clawson | 0 |
| 5/25/2020 | Lake Monticello | 4,164 | Eric Wagner | 2 | Eric Johnson | 1 |
| 6/1/2020 | Old Trail | 4,759 | Eric Wagner | 0 | Jim Clawson | 3 |
| 6/1/2020 | Old Trail | 4,759 | Deal Hudson | 0 | Jim Clawson | 1 |
| 6/1/2020 | Old Trail | 4,759 | Deal Hudson | 0.5 | Terry Pemberton | 0.5 |
| 6/1/2020 | Old Trail | 4,759 | Deal Hudson | 1 | Eric Wagner | 0 |
| 6/1/2020 | Old Trail | 4,759 | Terry Pemberton | 0.5 | Jim Clawson | 2.5 |
| 6/1/2020 | Old Trail | 4,759 | Eric Wagner | 0 | Terry Pemberton | 3 |
Please note that the venue for the first annual Gutty Gopher (see trophy photo attached) is still closed due to the COVID pandemic and so we are postponing the event to the weekend of November 14-15, Saturday and Sunday, again in Charlottesville at the public course, Meadowcreek. Details on registration, cost, lodging, etc. will come out about September-October timeframe. We expect about $290 for three rounds (including practice round), three meals, and awards. More will be announced on the VaHGA website https://www.vahickorygolf.com/ as the time approaches. Weather will be unpredictable at this time. Travel will be unpredictable for a while. We are hoping that both will cooperate.
VERY BEST WISHES to the Gutty Players participating in the National Hickory Championship, the Wisconsin Gutty Challenge, and the Foxburg Gutty Championships scheduled for this summer. The NHC is being held “virtually” by playing on your home course. Check the SOHG site for more information. https://www.hickorygolfers.com/ I’m sure Greg (Smith) and Tom (Johnson) will let us know about the status for Wisconsin and Foxburg as they can. Both are wonderfully quirky courses!
Virginia Players should note also that we will have the year-long Gutty and Hickory Virginia Hickory Match Play tournament the first week in December at Keswick. Play as many gutty and hickory matches as you can this year and be paired for the VaHGA version of the FEDEX Cup year-long competition. Current results are listed and updated monthly on the VaHGA website.
Okay. Any questions or comments or suggestions – send me a note. Stay safe, healthy, virus-free, and hickory engaged. What are your latest hickory projects? I’m refinishing some shafts, eagerly awaiting Tad Moore’s release of a Gaussiat putter, keeping my SOHG handicap current, and playing 3-4 times a week at Old Trail Golf Club where we have singleton carts, social distancing, no touch check in, and foam filled cups. I also just played a round with some 1940-ish steel shafted clubs with what look like hickory heads from the immediately post-hickory era. Lots of fun! What are you all up to? Send me a note and I’ll post on News and Notes on the VaHGA website.
Far and Sure, Rhythmic and Pure!
Jim
James Clawson
Captain, VAHGA
Member, Society of Hickory Golfers
jimclawson@virginia.edu
P.S. Webmaster and Hickory Golfer, Eric Johnson says the Park ball is his favorite! And, when you hit it in the water it floats!!! Yes, it is a bit pricey, but they are made by hand and are a true representation of the gutta percha experience. Thanks for all you do Dave Brown!
P.P.S. Also…Keep an eye on these matches. Seems like the retired guys like to schedule them so the working stiffs have to take a day off to participate! 🙂