The Sixth World Hickory Open under the aegis of the Scottish Golf Union will be played at Gullane at the end of the week. It is again preceded by a Festival of Hickory Golf on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday over the historic Musselburgh Old Links, the site of six Opens in the late nineteenth century, then over the challenging Craigielaw course before the international field moves to Archerfield, where the Fidra course will be played on Wednesday.
However, the climax of the week will be the 36-hole World Hickory Open this year being played over Gullane 2 & 3 courses, the latter especially suited to hickory golf.
The field will yet again be packed with top internationalists with current US Hickory champion Mike Stevens, Swedish Hickory champion Klas Ohlsson – also a professional player – and Gullane’s own pro Alastair Good, who came so close to clinching the title last year.
Chairman Lionel Freedman says that the tournament has been designed in such a way that he is able to take on late entries, who will benefit, for instance, from the heavily discounted green fees, which will be available at both Archerfield (only accessible with a member normally) and at Gullane. Open entry also entitles each player to attend the Gala Dinner on Thursday in the Gullane clubhouse
Hickory clubs of pre-1936 vintage are available free of charge to players who enter. The organisers have also made the first three days open to players with steel shafted clubs.
“But beware,” says Mr. Freedman,” you’ll be hooked on hickory golf before you know it.”
Results will be issued on Thursday and Friday by the Scottish Golf Union www.scottishgolf.org