Carnoustie Country to welcome hickory golfers

The World Hickory Open to move from East Lothian to Angus for the 2012 staging

Hickory moves North: The 2012 World Hickory Open Championship is set to take place in Angus from October 8-9

The 2012 World Hickory Open Championship will be held at Carnoustie Country’s Monifieth Medal and Carnoustie Burnside courses from October 8-9.

It will be the eighth staging of the contest for the world’s best hickory exponents and the first time it has be played outside East Lothian, having previously been staged at Musselburgh, Craigielaw and Gullane.

“Hosting this high profile, international golf tournament is great news for Carnsoutie Country and for the competing golfers, who will be playing golf on two excellent links courses,” said Bill Miller, chairman of Monifieth Golf Links.

The unique event provides amateur and professional golfers with the opportunity to compete in teams of three using traditional hickory-shafted golf clubs.

As for the selection of the venue, World Hickory Open co,founder and director Lionel Freedman explained: “The World Hickory Open should be played on historic links courses, so Carnoustie Country’s Monifieth Medal and Carnoustie Burnside are ideal.

“The World Hickory Open was previously held in East Lothian but it appears that the opportunity to play golf in an area widely-known as ‘the cradle of golf’ appeals to hickory club golfers. The early indicators are very good and entry numbers are already higher than this time last year.”

With 120 golfers expected to take part, Freedman added: “We’re very hopeful of a very successful 2012 tournament, with 25 teams from all over the world, including Sweden, the USA, Denmark, Switzerland and the UK, having booked their place.

“Experience of hickory golf is not vital, nor is it compulsory to wear traditional golfing gear, such as plus fours, although many of our competitors do.”

Miller was delighted to hear of the high numbers of hickory golfers already signed up. He said: “Carnoustie Country is a fabulous location for this tournament. As a golfer, I understand only too well why fellow golfers are so keen to play two of Carnoustie Country’s historic links courses.

“In addition, visiting golfers benefit from the high quality of accommodation available, the 30 golf courses within a 40-minute drive and the great many activities on offer around the beautiful county of Angus, on Scotland’s East Coast.”

Entry to the 2012 World Hickory Open costs £150 per golfer, which includes a round of golf on both aforementioned Angus courses, hire of hickory clubs and a gala prizegiving dinner.

To find out more about the World Hickory Open Championship or to download an entry form, visit www.worldhickoryopen.com.

TO SEE A HICKORY GOLFER IN ACTION CLICK ON THE VIDEO BELOW. HERE, BUNKERED’S SCOTT PEDDIE TAKES ON HICKORY EXPERT AND GULLANE HEAD PRO ALASDAIR GOOD.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered