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The Official site for the U.S. Hickory Open Championship
Australian Alan Grieve wins 2011 tournament
Sweltering heat was the topic during the 2011 U.S. Hickory Open at French Lick, Ind., where the heat index topped out at 114. While most competitors mopped their brows, 39-year-old Australian Alan Grieve mopped up the field with a blistering 150 two-day total. Even more amazing – he walked the course, both days. It was a short walk-about to the trophy, considering he had already traveled more than 36 hours and 10,000 miles to get there.
"I had a great week and this was the best I have ever played hickory clubs in back-to-back rounds," Grieve said.
Hickory play is all about accurate timing. Rick Woeckener, from Fredericksburg, Va., finished five shots back. Dr. David Brown scored an ace on No. 16, a 133-yard par three. It was the first ace scored in USHO competition. Admiring friends helped the good doctor celebrate with chilled champagne in the atrium bar of the West Baden Resort, where many in the field were staying. More than 78 players contended, the largest field ever, according to SoHG President Chris Deinlein, who said the French Lick Resort hosted "a perfect event."
Dave Harner, PGA director of golf for the French Lick Resorts said he was pleased that the course held up well to hickory play, which demands a smooth swing. "It was fun to watch the swing tempo of the hickory players versus today's players." The Donald Ross course at French Lick is no stranger to hickories. In 1924, it hosted the PGA Championship won by an early hickory master – Walter Hagen.
The U.S. Hickory Open is one of six events in a Championship Series presented by Mountain Valley Spring Water. The others include the Southern 4-ball Hickory Championship in Birmingham, Ala.; the Heart of America in Omaha, Neb.; the Mid Pines Hickory Open in Southern Pines, N.C.; the Belvedere Hickory Open in Charelvoix, Mich.; and the Mountain Valley Hickory Open (to be determined), Ark.
To view the results of this year's tournament, head over to the 2011 U.S. Hickory Open results page.
National Sponsor Welcomed
The U.S. Hickory Open is sponsored by Mountain Valley Spring Water, which is proud to associate its premium water with a "premium golf experience." Please join us for what is sure to be one of the most anticipated hickory series of 2012. Information on the other tournaments in the Championship Series - The Southern Hickory Four-Ball, The Belvedere Hickory Open, The Heart of America Hickory Championship, The Mountain Valley Hickory Open and The Mid Pines Hickory Open, can be found on the SoHG web site.
Far and Sure,
The Tournament Committee (Bob Caston, Chris Deinlein,
Paul Dietz, Matt Dodds, Dave Ellis, Rich Grula, Dave Harner, Barry Markowitz, Hamp Munsey, Breck Speed, and Rick Woeckner.)
