May 25, 2020 – Kohler, Wisc.
Ernie Ernst reports:
Three days of Hickory golf after two months of social distancing was just what was needed. The weather over the three days here in Wisconsin was magnificent (70s and sun all week). If you don’t think that is special, you never played the Kohler Challenge in May at Whistling Straits.
Our winning twosome was Cal Whitman and Jim McGraw who survived three days of match play to take the crown over the second place finishers Eric Hjortness and Ken Holtz.
The event was setup as a Two Man Best Ball Match against the other teams at Lawsonia. The teams were ranked by points won – one point per nine hole match and one point for the total. Then, at Sand Valley on the second day, two 18-hole matches were played. For the first, based on their finish at Lawsonia, the number one team played number four, and number two played number three. Winners paired off on the second 18 at Mammoth Dunes for the title.
The buy-in for the match was $100 per player. The winning team won $350. The second place guys took in $250. The winning four-man better ball team split $120. And the winners of the two-man better ball scramble split $120. (So, you know who was buying drinks!)
If you have never been to Sand Valley in Central Wisconsin it is highly recommended you play this hickory friendly course. Some outstanding scores were posted during our matches. The two courses offer multiple approaches to the green and the scenery and undulation is spectacular. We will be back to play this course again.
Other matches were going on at the same time. Our Four Man, Two Man Best Ball winning team was Ken Holtz, Eric Hjortness, Jim “Doc” Eike, and Greg Smith. We also had an 18-hole match of Best Ball, Scramble and Alternate shot won by the team of Andrew Ernst and Ernie Ernst.
In all it was a great three days of golf and all headed home to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend with family. Thank you to all who have served our country – and continue to do so – and especially to those who have made sacrifices we cannot imagine.
Be safe, be smart and enjoy the time on the course with friends.
The Wisconsin Hickory Group looks forward to welcoming players for the Wisconsin Gutty Challenge July 16-17-18 at Eagle Springs and to the Wisconsin Hickory Open at Lawsonia on Sept.17-18-19. Lawsonia is only an hour away from Sand Valley and an hour away from Kohler (Whistling Straits), which will be hosting the Ryder Cup the following weekend. Come play the Wisconsin Hickory Open and then Sand Valley and then swing over to Kohler to watch some Ryder Cup action.
Sounds like a pretty good week.
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- SoHG President Greg Smith at the top of his form.
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- Jim McGraw at Hole No. 14 at Sand Valley.
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- Hitting to No. 7, Andrew Ernst takes a crack at the boxcar hole at Lawsonia.
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- A view of the Sand Valley golf course.
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- Front from left: Dan Moore, Eric Hjortness, Bert Coghill, Cal Whitman, and Andrew Ernst. Back from left: George Burgland, Greg Smith, Doc Eike, Ken Holtz, Peter Flory, Ernie Ernst, and Jim McGraw.
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- Winners JimMcGraw, left, and Calvin Whitman at Hole No. 11 at Sand Valley.