October 2020 Newsletter

Inaugural Queensland Hickory Masters Championship

Queensland Hickory Masters field, day one

On Sunday 13 and Monday 14 September 2020, Hickory Golfers Queensland conducted the inaugural Queensland Hickory Masters Championship at The Brisbane Golf Club. Played over two days of perfect spring weather, this event was a resounding success and greatly enjoyed by all who attended.

On the weekend in question, HGQ had intended to host the Australian Hickory Shaft Championships; however, because of border restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, this event was forced to be cancelled. As a substitute event, the newly created ‘Masters’ was a worthy replacement, and will become a permanent fixture on the HGQ calendar. From 2021, the event will be played annually in November.

The format of this championship is uncommon, comprising 18 holes Canadian foursomes stableford on the first day and 18 holes single stableford on the second. The golfer with the highest combined stableford score over both days is crowned Queensland Hickory Masters Champion. As an all encompassing test of golfing prowess, the winner of this championship must perform well — both as a member of a pairing and as an individual.

We were extremely happy to host four of our 'country cousins' from Cooroy Golf Club, a rural hotbed for hickory golf. Led by their mentor Grathan Leatherbarrow, our visitors included ‘young guns’ George Gibbett, Kale Hamilton and Jason Norris. We look forward to joining them on 18 October 2020 for the inaugural Bobby Jones Trophy, hosted by Cooroy Golf Club.

Traditions must start somewhere and with one of our younger members, Chris Webster, coming up trumps as the first winner of the Queensland Hickory Masters, we are sure the winner's prize of a ‘maroon paperboy cap’ will become an institution in Australian hickory golf.

It did not go without comment by proud Brisbane Golf Club captain, Alan Grieve, that the first five placings in the overall event were occupied by members of his illustrious and historic club.

Many thanks to Alan Grieve for organising the event at short notice and The Brisbane Golf Club for its generosity in hosting the event, waiving green fees on day one and for the wonderful luncheons hosted in the club’s celebrated clubhouse.

Scores (stableford points) — Position, Player (Handicap), Day one  score,  Day two score,  Total score:

1    Chris Webster (15.4)    34.1    34    68
2    Bruce Collins (13.7)    31    35    66
3    Greg Mellifont (14.8)    31    34    65
4    Alan Grieve (8.4)    34.1    30    64
5    Bradley Tatnell (9.5)    34    30    64
6    Peter Monks (16.8)    34    28    62
7    Jason Norris (8.6)    27    34    61
8    Colin Marshall (11.1)    29    30    59
8    Rob King-Scott (8.7)    32    27    59
10    Ivan Hodges (7.0)    30    26    56
11    Ross Haslam (16.8)    29    26    55
12    Kale Hamilton (8.1)    26    26    52
13    Peter Egan (24.0)    23    28    51
14    George Gibbett (-3.4)    27    23    50
15    Grathan Leatherbarrow (8.4)    26    23    49
15    Andrew Baker (11.8)    32    17    49
17    Phil Akes (12.7)    23    25    48
18    Wally Boydell (25.5)    23    21    44
19    Ross Bishop (11.8)    30     —    30
20    Andrew Corrigan (11.3)     —    25    25
21    Michael Akes (6.7)    23    —     23
22    Chris Everett (12.7)    20    —     20
22    Tony Cassimatis (17.9)    20     —    20

Queensland Hickory Masters field, day two