Oak Gables GC, Ancaster, Ontario, May 17, 2018
Please scroll to the bottom of the page to see some pictures from the event.
The first event of the 2018 Ontario Hickory Tour was played at Oak Gables GC in Ancaster, Ontario on Thursday May 17th 2018. 36 players registered for this event. Unfortunately a couple were unable to make it on the day, and a couple of others were unable to play due to health reasons. 31 players completed the event, 25 in the Bobby Jones (post-1900) Division, and 6 in the Old Tom Morris ( pre-1900) Division.
We were favoured with almost perfect weather, and the course was in good playing condition, albeit still a little wet in spots this early in the season. The management and staff of Oak Gables were most welcoming and gracious hosts. Two of the owners of the business, Stephen Ross and Gary Maue, played with us in the event. Players were charged the Oak Gables discounted VIP rate, and all players were invited to play at Oak Gables for the rest of the season at any time for the VIP rate. Stephen Ross sent us this message after the event:
Thank you for giving Oak Gables the opportunity to host the Hickory Tour this
Spring. The members of the Tour are welcome here at Oak Gables any time and we
are pleased to offer them the special VIP rate whenever they play. The Tour is
welcome to come back here anytime as well.
I spent my entire business life in golf (30 years with the RCGA -18 of those years as the Executive Director). I have been here at Oak Gables with my family running the Club the last 10 years. I was lucky enough to be in inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame in 2011 - the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame a year later. I was obviously inducted in the 'Builder' category. During the years at the RCGA my passion was the Rules of the game and I became a certified Rules Referee. I refereed events all over the world-including the Masters, British Open etc.
I give you this background so you can understand why I truly enjoy hosting events like the Hickory Tour - golfers who are obviously as keen about the game as I am.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to host your group and please come back anytime!
I spent my entire business life in golf (30 years with the RCGA -18 of those years as the Executive Director). I have been here at Oak Gables with my family running the Club the last 10 years. I was lucky enough to be in inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame in 2011 - the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame a year later. I was obviously inducted in the 'Builder' category. During the years at the RCGA my passion was the Rules of the game and I became a certified Rules Referee. I refereed events all over the world-including the Masters, British Open etc.
I give you this background so you can understand why I truly enjoy hosting events like the Hickory Tour - golfers who are obviously as keen about the game as I am.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to host your group and please come back anytime!
Jim Wilhelm was the winner for the day in the Bobby Jones (post-1900) Division, with a round of 73 and 51.4 Modified Stableford points; runner-up was Ron Dunn, with a round of 79 and 45.4 points. Bill Southall was the winner for the day in the Old Tom Morris (pre-1900) Division, with a round of 76 and 59.7 points; runner-up was Jim Palk, with a round of 86 and 49.7 points. Note that points for players in each Division are calculated separately, based on the average hole stroke scores of all players in that Division.
$55.60 was received in the donation jar for Tour expenses (no registration fee is charged for Tour events). Thanks to all who contributed.
Although an organised meal was not included in the event, the Oak Gables kitchen put on a special 'Hickory Burger' lunch, and many of the players enjoyed eating and drinking in the club house after playing.
Thanks, once again, to Frank Collis for his wonderful work taking pictures at this event - as he has done at so many events before.
Players and friends gathered in the club house before play |
The kitchen put on a special lunch menu for us
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Practicing on the putting green...
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in the fine morning weather
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Practice putters assembled - Bill Southall, Doug Bowslaugh, Dave Finn, Ron Archer, Larry Vollick, Wayne Linton, and Ron Dunn
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Bill Stewart and Bill Southall watch Vern Petry on the tee
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Bill Southall watches Dave Borsellino on the tee
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Bill Southall tees off
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Bill Stewart tees off
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Dave Finn tees off
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Doug Bowslaugh tees off
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Mike Smart tees off
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I believe this is Mike's guest Don Hull teeing off
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Bob McArthur tees off
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Gunnar Eriksson gets a good follow-through
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Ron Wiens tees off
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Gunnar Eriksson watches Jim Wilhelm tee off
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PGA Pro and Oak Gables co-owner Gary Maue tees off
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Larry Vollick, Craig Wardlaw and Bruce Greenberg watch Adrian Buis tee off
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Larry Vollick and Craig Wardlaw watch Ron Dunn tee off
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Wayne Linton tees off
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Bill Vossen and Al Kraft confer whilst Ron Archer's guest Larry Vollick tees off in his first hickory event
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Bill and Al are still conferring as Craig Wardlaw tees off
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Ron Archer tees off watched by Larry Vollick, Craig Wardlaw and Bruce Greenberg
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Bill Vossen tees off
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Rick Harper and Bill Vossen watch Al Kraft tee off
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Eric Reid tees off, in his own inimitable style
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Tour co-organiser Ken Leedham on the tee |
Jim Palk tees off |