Event #7 — Ontario Hickory Tour Event #2 — Woodstock ON — June 19, 2019

The second event of the 2019 Ontario Hickory Tour was played at Woodstock Meadows GC in Woodstock, Ontario on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. 

We had excellent weather for this one—warm and sunny, with a slight breeze most of the time. Attendance was a little thin as only 16 players teed off. Unfortunately, there was some conflict with the US Hickory Open, starting the next day at The Belvedere in Charlevoix, Michigan. Also, some of our players find Woodstock a little far West. 

The course was in excellent condition. They must have truly fine drainage as, despite the incredibly wet weather we have been having all spring, there was not a speck of mud visible anywhere on the course. The greens were even, tightly mowed, and quite fast. The fairways were lush and well-maintained. The course was ideally suited to our hickory play, with Pre-1900 players, ladies, and those over 75 years of age playing from the white tees for 3,836 yards, and the remaining Post-1900 players hitting from the gold tees for 4,316 yards. Par for the course was 66, with one par 5 on each nine.

The approach shots were the challenge—it was tough to stay on the greens. And some of the greens were pretty large also—it was possible to stay on the green and still be nearly 40 feet from the hole in some cases. The greens were gently, rather than violently, undulating but breaks were quite hard to read— more kudos to those who managed to make some tricky long putts. 

Joint winners for the day in the Bobby Jones (post-1900) Division, were Bill Southall and Gerald Achtymichuk with rounds of 74 and 43.8 Modified Stableford points; runner-up was Ron Wiens, with a round of 75 and 42.8 points. Frank Collis was the winner for the day in the Old Tom Morris (pre-1900) Division, with a round of 88 and 39 points. Note that points for players in each Division are calculated separately, based on the average hole stroke scores of all players in that Division.

Although an organized meal was not included in the event, many of the players enjoyed eating and drinking in the clubhouse after playing. 

Thanks to our photographer for the day, Frank Collis, who has done wonderful work for us at so many events.