The 4th Annual Southern Hickory Four Ball
The 4th Annual Southern Hickory Four Ball was played March 31st and April 1st at The Fields Golf Course in LaGrange, Georgia. This year’s event was the best ever and the party Thursday night at hosts Tad & Carol Moore’s house set the pace for the week. About 65 to 70 people showed up and were fed fantastic food and all they could drink. There were non-playing guests like Forrest McConnell from Montgomery Alabama. He is a well-known Willie Park collector who came all the way to Georgia to see his friends Roger Hill and Chuck McMullin and tell Park stories. Many friends of Tad and Carol also came over to welcome the 50 contestants to LaGrange.
As the week progressed, the dogwood trees and azaleas all showed their full colors to the players. The course was fast and a good test for hickory golf. Unlike last year, the weather was warm, with a slight breeze - to make for ideal playing conditions. There always has to be winners and this year the Ladies Division was won by Barb Kopec from Florida and Diane Young from Alabama. Diane is with Southern Living Magazine and will be doing a story about hickory golf and the Southern Hickory Four Ball for a future issue. Claudia Aaron from Georgia and Bobbi Zadra from Wisconsin captured second place.
The Men’s Net winning team was Wayne Aaron from Georgia and Frank Zadra from Wisconsin. Chuck McMullin from Virginia and Ralph Livingston III from Michigan took second place. The Men’s Gross winning team was Randy Jensen from Nebraska and Rob Ahlschwede from Nebraska with a final round of 65 - surpassing all challengers. The second place team was Butch Wilhelm from Georgia and Tom Irving from Indiana.
Look for a story by Marty Kaufman in the May 20 issue of Golfweek Magazine. Marty spent the weekend with us and had the opportunity to learn a lot about hickory golf and hickory golfers. We hope Marty will come back and play next year.
Please mark the week before the Masters Tournament on your 2007 calendar. The 5th Annual Southern Hickory Four Ball will be played that week.
Tad & Carol Moore