Hickory

The fourth consecutive year of the ‘Cup’ was played in April.
Usually comprising three rounds of 12 holes, this year’s event was modified to a single round of 18 holes.
With Covid-19 restrictions looming and travel unlikely, to keep the event alive, a decision was made to run a “ Remote Cup “ by inviting International golfers to play their rounds at their own courses on day as close as possible to the same day as the Australian players.

There were teams and individual players representing Australia from Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland and they competed against Internationals from three US states and New Zealand.
Unfortunately, a strong entry of 13 Canadians had to withdraw due to the country’s own lockdown restrictions.

In the field of 86 players, there was increased interest from Professionals with total of 11 playing including 6 Australians.

The format was Stableford, as it was felt by using each player’s official world handicap it accommodated differences in the lengths and Par of the courses played in a manner stroke play could not.

For this year’s event, a section for Women was introduced with a team from Melbourne and Arizona USA competing and it is anticipated the numbers will grow in future events.

Around the remote locations as players got under way and results started to come in
several posts and photos appeared on Facebook pages, showing players enjoying their rounds and embracing the 2021 modified event.

The Americans performed well but it was Australia’s Professional Tim Sayers playing at Bankstown GC Sydney winning the scratch event for the fourth year in a row.
In the team events the USA were convincing winners.

Locally here in Victoria the host club was The Valley on the Mornington
Peninsula and on a superb Autumn afternoon 27 players enjoyed their 18 holes.

At the after golf function, players enjoyed a splendid dinner as results and presentations were made.

To close the day, the playing group gave thanks and a round of applause to The Valley Golf Club and its staff and particularly to acknowledge organisers, members Peter Stickley and Brenda Rogers, whose hard work ensured this innovative way to run the 2021 event was successful and contributed to the growing interest in hickory golf.

Peter Stickley