Florida Hickory Open

ORLANDO, Fla. - Dubsdread Golf Course played host to the third playing of the Florida Hickory Open, where four players claimed victories after two days of fierce competition. In the Men’s Open Division, Will Peterson defended his title once again, remaining the only golfer to ever win the division in the event’s three-year history. In the Women’s Open Division, after two top-three finishes in the previous two years, Alice Brown emerged victorious. In his third time playing the event, Gary Cole took home the win in the Men’s Net Stableford Division. After winning the Women’s Net Stableford Division in the inaugural Florida Hickory Open, Natalie Wells claimed her second title.

Men’s Open Division

Peterson, of Tampa, held a two-shot lead over after a round-one score of 3-over par, 73. On Tuesday, the Tampa native would repeat his performance from the first round to eventually capture a five-shot victory over Eddie Peckels, of Winter Springs.

Peterson has won the Men’s Open Division title all three years in which the championship has been held.

Women’s Open Division

Brown, a resident of Valrico, posted scores of 80 and 86 on her way to a six-shot victory over runner-up, and two-time defending champion, Bailey Wiegandt, of Louisville, KY.

This win for Brown, her first FSGA championship, comes after finishing second in 2021 and third in 2022.

Men’s Net Stableford Division

After the first round, during which he posted a score of 36 points, Cole was tied atop the leaderboard with Will Jacoby, of Saint Pete Beach. But with a division-high 40 points on Tuesday, Cole was able to clear the rest of the competition and secure a five-point victory over Richard Grula, of Winter Park.

After finishing fourth and sixth in past playings of the Florida Hickory Open, Cole claims his first FSGA championship.

Women’s Net Stableford Division

Wells, of Winter Park, began the second round three points behind the lead. On Tuesday, she compiled a decisive 36 points, highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 third hole. This gave her a two-point victory over BJ Hayden, of Middleburg.

After finishing first and second in the first two iterations of the event, Wells now has two FSGA championship victories on her ledger.

The Florida State Golf Association reintroduced Hickory Golf to our membership in May of 2020. In conjunction with the Florida Hickory Golfers, the FSGA set forth to offer hickory club opportunities through our FSGA One Days and also dedicated hickory club only events. In addition to our hickory "play days", we are excited to announce the Second FSGA Hickory Open. We look forward to drawing amateur and professional golfers from Florida and beyond to participate in the Hickory Open. 

Details of the championship are as follows:

Championship Format

• 36 holes of individual stroke play
• Must use pre-1935 clubs, or pre-1935 replicas (rental clubs are available)
• Present day golf balls are permitted
• Championship Field - 96 players
• Open Division and Net Division
  - Open Division plays for overall championship 
   - Net division plays net stableford
• Professional purse and amateur gift cards

Eligibility

• Male and female amateur and professional golfers
• Professionals must have a SSN, EIN, ITIN for tax reporting purposes.This will need to be confirmed before the entry deadline, or they will be in-eligible to participate.
• Minimum age of 16 years old
• Handicap - A GHIN handicap, or a handicap through the Society of Hickory Golfers, is required for Net Division
• Entrant is not required to be a member of the FSGA

Entry Fees

Entry Fee Includes:

• Practice round with cart
• Tournament rounds with cart
• Player Welcome Dinner and Club Swap after practice round
• Tee gift
• Professional purse for top finishers
• Amateur gift certificates for top finishers

Late entries are subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the field.

Field Determination

Entries for are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Schedule of Events 

Sunday, August 20th

• 1:00 PM - Shotgun practice round
• 5:00 PM - Complimentary Player Dinner and Club Swap

Monday, August 21st

• 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Round one tee times off of #1 and #10

Tuesday, August 22nd

• 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Round two tee times off of #1 and #10
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play 

Approximate Yardages

Men's Open Division: 5,500 - 5,800 yards
Men's Net Division: 5,200 - 5,500 yards

Women's Open Division: 4,700 - 4,900 yards
Women's Net Division: 4,700 - 4,900 yards

Estimated Purse 

Estimated - based off a full field of 48 players with at least 25% being professionals.

$4,000 prize pool of professional payout and amateur gift certificates.

1st Place - $1,500 (approximately - Open Division)

The final purse with estimated payouts will be posted after the field has been determined.

Cart and Caddie Policy

Players must ride in a cart and their clubs must be transported on the cart. Caddies are NOT permitted.

Rules of Golf

The current Rules of Golf govern play with one exception:  Rule 4.1b(1) - Limit of 14 Clubs is waived. Players may start a round with more than 14 clubs and add clubs during the round.

Permitted Clubs and Balls

The permitted golf clubs and golf balls mirror the Equipment Guidelines for the Society of Hickory Golfers.

Golf Clubs:  Pre-1935 clubs or pre-1935 replicas. See more here

Golf Balls:  Balls on the USGA List of Conforming Golf Balls or USGA approved balls that have been re-molded to replicate pre-1935 balls. See more here

Click here for more information on companies that produce replica equipment.

Championship Information

Play-Off

If necessary, there will be a hole-by-hole "sudden death" play-off to determine the overall Champions. It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff.

Practice Round & Player Dinner

1:00 shotgun on Sunday, August 20th (included in entry fee).

The Player Dinner and Club Swap begins after the practice round at approximately 5:00 PM at Dubsdread Golf Course

Dress Code

Golf attire of the era is encouraged, but not required. Golf attire from today's age is acceptable.