HICKORY RETURNS TO ROYAL MELBOURNE

The 24th Australian Hickory Shaft Championship is set for an historic inaugural visit to Royal Melbourne in September.

It is the first time the championship has been played outside New South Wales and organisers hope the tournament, to be played on Royal Melbourne’s West Course on September 11, will be the first of many played at different venues around the country.

The history of the Australian Hickory Shaft Championship began in 1995 when the Tom Moore-led Australian Golf Heritage Society organised the inaugural event at Rosnay Golf Club in Sydney’s western suburbs.

In the ensuing years, it has been played at diverse venues – The Coast, Cronulla, Georges River, Carnarvon and Long Reef – and seen many notable winners, including Peter Read (seven-time winner) and two-time winners Perry Somers, Alan Grieve, Derrin Morgan and Darron Watt. In the ladies’ event, Shuri Yasuda-Hines (six), Jane Buckley (three) and the late Margery McWilliam (two) have been multiple winners.

Royal Melbourne’s West Course is generally acknowledged as one of the best works of golf course architect Dr Alister MacKenzie – and is consistently rated No.1 in Australia. This wonderful opportunity will hopefully be followed in future years by rotation of the event between states, and – where possible – at prominent venues aligned to historically significant events. By way of example, plans are in place to hold the Championship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club in 2020 and at the Long Reef Golf Club in 2021 as part of their respective centenary celebrations.

The event is open to all Australian golfers with a GA handicap with scratch and handicap events for both women and men. The cost per head will be $135 including light snacks after golf when the presentations take place.

The legendary Ivo Whitton set the initial course record of 79 at Royal Melbourne so the challenge is on to try and beat his score.

The event will be played to AGHS Conditions of Play to ensure the past event results are consistent with this event. Visit www.australiangolfheritage.org.au/hickoryconditions.html to ensure your clubs satisfy those conditions of play.