2006 GCS Hickory Championships
The 2006 Golf Collectors Society Hickory Championships were held November 13 on the Arnold Palmer-designed Mountain Course at the Angel Park Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fair weather, temperatures in the 50s, and moderate winds greeted the historically-dressed golfers on Monday morning. Over 100 GCS members and their guests participated in the Open Championship, Senior Open Championship and the Texas Scramble events. A modern club division was also offered for those who just wanted to experience golf in Las Vegas.
Randy Jensen of Omaha, NE captured the Open Hickory Championship (Gross) with a stellar 74. This was Jensen’s seventh GCS title. Ken Jackson from Keller, TX, the 2001 champion, was runner-up with an 80; and John Sherwood, a two-time champion from Canterbury, England was third with an 82. The closely contested Net Division Open Champion was Andy Reistetter from Gurnee, IL; Jesse Sorenson a new member from Camrose, Alberta, Canada, finished 2nd with a 74; and Scott Johnson from Ankeny, IA placed 3rd with a 75.
Paul Biocini from Valley Springs, CA won the Senior Open Championship (Gross) shooting a 75. Biocini has won the Open title on five previous occasions. Arlie Morris, a former Open Champion and Region 9 Director from Porterville, CA finished 2nd with a 77; and Tad Moore from LaGrange, GA captured 3rd with an 83. Sonny Chappie from Port Huron, MI was victorious in the Senior Net Division with a brilliant 67; Bill Reed from Des Moines, IA was second with a 70; and Lee Crist from Duncansville, PA took 3rd with a 72.
The team of Tom Irving, Randy Crow, Steve Whitney and Veronika Marquoit claimed 1st place in the Texas Scramble with an outstanding 66. Micah Bosman, Stephen Sutherland, John Ausen and Steve Krantz took the 2nd place honors; and Brendan Casey, Phil Kostolnik, Pam Kessler and Les Marquoit finished 3rd.
Closet to the Pin for Hole #4 was won by Colin Palmer from Manchester, England; and Steve Whitney from Independence, OH was Closet to the Pin for Hole #15. Andy Reistetter had the Longest Drive on Hole #12.
The champions received their medals and prizes at the GCS Annual Banquet at the nearby Suncoast Hotel and Casino on Monday evening. The elegant rotating trophy for the GCS Open Hickory Championship was presented to Randy Jensen. Jensen has won over 40 hickory tournaments including his seven GCS victories, the National Hickory Championship six times, the Scottish Hickory Championship twice, and the Canadian Hickory Championship.
The 2007 GCS Hickory Championships will be held at Mid-Pines Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC on Monday, November 5.
