The Des Moines members of the GOLF COLLECTORS SOCIETY Region 7 are hosting the 2008 Heart of America Hickory Championship originated in 1978 by former GCS President Warren "OLE" Olson of Denison, Iowa. Warren will be the guest of honor at what is the oldest continuously held hickory tournament in the world. President Olson introduced untold numbers of players and collectors to the Golf Collectors Society and the pains and pleasures of hickory golf.

Contact Info: - WilliamW. Reed at: 1245 37th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50311-2706. Cell # 515-490-5159; Fax # 515-279-6479 E-mail is: wreedassociates@aol.com. Additional contact people are John Ausen whose e-mail is: johnausen@hotmail.com , or Russ Fisher whose e-mail is: rjfish@dwx.com.

July 12, 2008 - Mullock's Auctions Open Golf Memorabilia Sale.

Contact Info: - For more information contact auctions@mullocksauctions.co.uk or visit www.mullocksauctions.co.uk.

July 15, 2008 - Maxwells Open Golf Memorabilia Auction, Maxwells
Auctioneers, Stockport, Greater Manchester, England.

Contact Info: - For more information contact colinpalmer1@ntlworld.com or visit www.maxwells-auctioneers.co.uk.

July 14, 2008 - Bonhams Golf Auction, Chester, England.

Contact Info: - For more information contact Kevin.mcgimpsey@bonhams.com or visit www.bonhams.com.

The SoHG is pleased to announce its first annual US Hickory Open Championship to be conducted at Mimosa Hills Golf and Country Club in Morganton, NC from July 21 through July 23, 2008.

Contact Info: - See www.ushickoryopen.com for more information

August 20-22, 2008 - The 9th Annual Canadian Open Hickory Championships at the 27-hole Legends Golf & Country Club, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada (near Edmonton). Day 1 is practice, team match play, trade show and prime rib dinner; Day 2 is Ryder Cup Match Play competition for the Casey Cup followed by evening get together; Day 3 is the 36-hole stroke play Canadian Open Hickory Championship followed by a steak BBQ.

Contact Info: - Visit www.thelegends.ca for more information on the course. Contact Ron Lyons for additional information at 780-456-1649 or antiquegolf@shaw.ca.

September 13, 2008, The Iowa Hickory Classic Golf Tournament, Hyperion Field Club, Johnston, IA. This event will help you get your game ready for the GCS Hickory Championship in Lexington, KY later in September. Full details will be posted at a later date.

Contact Info: - For more information contact Bill Reed at 515-490-5159 or wreedassocaites@aol.com

September 12-14, 2008, C.B. Macdonald Challenge, Niagara Golf Club, on Lake Ontario.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course is not only the oldest golfcourse in continuous existence in North America but had the distinction of being host to the first ever-international tournament held in North America. That event - the Niagara International - was held September 5-7, 1895.

Contact Info: - Doug Marshall at dougmarsh7@aol.com Website http://www.hickorygolfers.com/macdonald/

September 25-28, 2008, 38th GCS Annual Meeting & Trade Show
Marriott Griffin Gate Resort & Spa, 1800 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY. Save the date!
Thursday, September 25 - Registration and Hospitality Suite; Friday, September 26 - Golf Tournament, 8:00 a.m., followed by Education Sessions, the Annual General Meeting and the Annual Banquet on Friday evening; Saturday, September 27 - Trade Show. The Meeting Brochure and Registration Form will be mailed to all current GCS members approximately two months in advance of the event.

November 7-8, 2008 ? GCS Region 9 Hickory Tournament & Trade Show, River Ridge Golf Course, Oxnard, CA. Four player scramble format on the new championship 18 holes at River Ridge. Trade Show and lodging at the Residence Inn River Ridge immediately next to the golf course.

Contact Info: - Details at our new regional website at www.gcs9.org or phone Chris McIntyre at 858-672-8841.