First Salado Hickory Golf Tournament a Resounding Success
From Amarillo to Houston to Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond hickory golfers traveled to Salado the first weekend in November to participate in the Inaugural Pioneer Classic Hickory Golf Tournament, a major fundraising event for the museum.
The golfers gathered at the Mill Creek Golf Course in knickers, vests, ties and caps for the two-day, two-man team event. They were greeted at the clubhouse by the skirl of bagpipes played by Pipe Major Doug Slauson of the Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums who later sent them onto the course from the first tee box with a stirring rendition of “Scotland the Brave”.
The Salado Pioneer Classic joins the Hickory Golf Association of Texas tournament circuit as an annual event on the first weekend each November. The 2nd annual tournament is scheduled the weekend prior to the Scottish Gathering and Highland Games which celebrates its 60th year November 12-14, 2021.
First place winners of the 2020 tournament are Gary Krupkin and Blair Philip with a team score of 136. They are pictured here with Museum Executive Director Dave Swarthout and “Walter”, the hickory golf figure that will stand atop the perpetual tournament trophy that will reside at the museum and display each year’s winning team’s names. What makes Hickory Golf unique is that the players use clubs that have a solid hickory wood shaft as did clubs used in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Most of the hickory clubs in play today actually date from the late 1890s to 1935. Clubs manufactured during this period are original hickory clubs. There are several companies that make replica hickory-shafted golf clubs that are also approved for play.
Original Post:
The ancient game of golf, played as it was during its earliest beginnings in Scotland, makes its first appearance here in Salado (a village settled by Scots) this November when Salado Museum and College Park hosts the inaugural Pioneer Classic Hickory Golf Tournament at Mill Creek Golf Course, November 7-8.
Hickory Golf Tournament Entry Form
The two-man team event is sponsored by area businesses with all proceeds benefiting the museum. Sponsors for the tournament include Title Sponsor Stagecoach Inn; Mill Creek Golf Course; First Texas Brokerage; and Sloan, Cartagena and Associates, P.C.
We are very excited to be included on the Hickory Golf Association of Texas (HGAT) tournament circuit this year,” says Dave Swarthout, Salado Museum executive director. “The money raised will enable us to continue renovations and preservation of our historic building and the college ruins and parkland on College Hill.”
The golf weekend features special guest William W. Reed, past president of The Golf Heritage Society (a global non-profit organization headquartered in Lebanon, Ohio) who will display an extensive collection of historic golf equipment and artifacts at Mill Creek throughout the weekend.
The public is welcome to come out for the opening tee-off ceremonies at noon on Saturday, which will include a Scottish bagpiper performing on the course, and to view the historic golf items on display in the clubhouse. There is no charge but donations to the museum are always welcome!
What makes Hickory Golf unique is that the players use clubs that have a solid hickory wood shaft as did clubs used in the late 19th and early 20th Century. The players also dress the part, with men wearing vintage-style golfing knickers, jackets and caps.
According to the HGAT website, most of the hickory clubs in play today actually date from the late 1890s to 1935. Clubs manufactured during this period are original hickory clubs. There are several companies that make replica hickory-shafted golf clubs that are also approved for play.
- Entry Fee: $150 per player
- Hickory Club Rental: $35 per player
- Commemorative Ball in Case: $5
- Sleeve of Golf Balls: $15 (Original Pattern)
- Dozen Golf Balls: $40 (Original Pattern)
https://www.hickorygolfers.com/2020-salado-pioneer-classic/
Featuring: William W. Reed Past President - The Golf Heritage Society
Saturday November 7th Tee-off: 12pm Dinner: After Round
Sunday November 8th Tee-off: 9am Lunch: After Round
Mill Creek Golf Course 1610 Club Circle Salado, TX 76571
