Golf - Hickory era recreated at Grange-over-Sands (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Golf - Hickory era recreated at Grange-over-Sands

11:57am Thursday 26th May 2011 in Sport

GOLFING of a bygone era is celebrated when Grange-over Sands Golf Club hosts the North British Hickory Open this summer.

Entrants in the tournament on Sunday, June 12, can hire ‘Past Masters’ sets of six original hickory wood shafted clubs to play.

There is a lofted wood - a brassie or a spoon which may be used from the tee or fairway - four irons, including mashies, mashie niblicks and niblicks, and a traditional blade putter.

The will be a new tournament champion this year as defending titleholder Steve Doyle, a 4 handicap player from Liberton GC, Edinburgh, is unable to take part this time.

Hickory golf is view by enthusiasts are being the ultimate test of ball-striking ability, shorn of flattering ‘easy-hit modern technology.

Eminent golf writer and journalist Peter Debereiner wrote: “Modern golf is about precison and calculation, hickory golf is about intuition and inspiration.”

The best score recorded using a Past Masters set was by Zach Saltman, who went round Craigielaw Golf Club in East Lothians in 67 shots gross.

Carus Green professional Andrew Pickering is known to beamong the enthusiasts, while professional golfers known to be exponents includes Swedes Pierre Fulke,(Ryder Cup player) and Adam Madnick (PGA Tour winner) along with ex European Tour long-driving champions Bob Strachan and David Thompson.

Hickory wood, from a forest tree originating in the United States, is tough and straight-grained and in addtion to golf club shafts it is used in drum sticks and pick-axes.

Entry to the tournament is £25, with £10 to hire vintage clubs (contact Grange-over-Sands GC 01535 33180/www.grangegolfclub.co.uk