French Lick, IN – To say that Alan Grieve has a passion for hickory clubs is an understatement. The Queensland Australian native was the very first person to sign up for the United States Hickory Open Championship and traveled over 36 hours and nearly 10,000 miles to participate in the event at French Lick Resort in southern Indiana.
The trip was worth his while, as the 39 year old captured his very first hickory championship this week on the resort’s historic Donald Ross course. Grieve shot rounds of 75 – 75 for a 36-hole total of 150 and a 5 shot victory over Rick Woeckener from Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Grieve, who has been playing hickory clubs for a year and a half, was looking for a new challenge in the game of golf and found it with hickory clubs.
“I wanted to change my game and give myself a challenge. I love playing hickory clubs. When you hit a good shot you know you hit it. It feels so pure unlike modern day clubs”, said Grieve.
This was also the second hickory tournament he has played in and the first United States Hickory Open.
“I played in my first hickory tournament last year in Australia and took third place and decided I wanted to challenge myself even more, so I came to the United States to participate in their national event”, Grieve said.
“I had a great week and this was the best I have ever played hickory clubs in back to back rounds. The Donald Ross course was a perfect setting for the event, but very tough as well. You have a lot of up hill shots, which can make it very challenging for hickory clubs. It was fun and exciting.”
French Lick Resort was transported back to the golden age of golf this week as the historic resort destination hosted the largest field ever for the United States Hickory Open Championship presented by Mountain Valley Spring Water. Mountain Valley sponsors the Hickory Championship Series consisting of four national hickory tournaments.
The U.S. Hickory Open, which is run by the Society of Hickory Golfers, hosted 81 hickory golfers from 27 states, as well as Canada and Australia, who brought their hickory passion to French Lick Resort. Golfers were also encouraged to look the part, with knickers, plus fours, dress shirts and ties straight from the 19th century. Together with old-fashioned hickory-shafted golf clubs, the event truly was like going back in time.
“Having the largest field ever coming to French Lick Resort, as well as our new champion being from Australia is a testament to the growing popularity and passion not only in America, but also around the world for hickory clubs”, said Chris Deinlein, President of the Society of Hickory Golfers. “We congratulate Alan for his superb play and also French Lick Resort for hosting a perfect event.”
For more information about the United States Hickory Open, visit www.ushickoryopen.org.
For more information about French Lick Resort, visit www.frenchlick.com.
2011 US Hickory Open Leadboard-Championship Division
Last Name First Name Rd 1 Gross R2 Gross Gross Total
Grieve Alan 75 75 150
Woeckener Rick 78 77 155
Andrews Roger 75 81 156
McAllister Scott 78 83 161
Stevens Mike 82 80 162
Floyd Doug 82 82 164
Brown David 83 81 164
Schuman Brian 85 80 165
Holtz Kenneth 84 82 166
Guerard Joseph 85 86 171
Hollerbach Joe 87 84 171
Fischer Josh 88 83 171
Hjortness Eric 83 90 173
Phinney George 85 88 173
Cleveland Keith 88 86 174
Moye Andy 88 86 174
Hollerbach Ben 79 96 175
Eaves Russell 82 94 176
Breeden Eddie 89 87 176
Coghill Bert 86 91 177
Geisler Bill 88 90 178
Gagnier Michael 95 83 178
Cameron Hugh 91 88 179
Ellis David 90 90 180
Short John 82 99 181
Staudacher Scott 91 90 181
Stewart William Tanner 92 90 182
Speed Breck 87 96 183
Platt Skip 92 91 183
Crotty Bobby 96 87 183
Slaby John 94 90 184
Deinlein Chris 90 96 186
Flynn Tim 88 99 187
English David 96 95 191
Gamet Dave 93 99 192
Platt Bob 92 103 195
Stafford Michael 102 94 196
Renaud Randy 100 97 197
Friedberg Brad 106 95 201
Rechter II Rick 104 100 204
Grula Richard 103 102 205
Stewart David Tanner 107 101 208
Sewell Bill 103 108 211
Harkins William 112 109 221
Rosen Marty 126 142 268
About French Lick Resort
French Lick Resort is a $500 million historic restoration and casino development project set upon 3,000 acres of scenic grounds. It encompasses both the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel, located about a mile apart, which have both been fully restored to their original sophistication and luxury. The casino was built adjacent to the French Lick hotel and opened in 2008. The West Baden Springs property, with its massive dome, re-opened as a hotel for the first time since 1932. The hotels combine for 689 rooms and free shuttle buses connect all amenities.
Contact:
French Lick Resort
Dyan Welsh Duncan
(812) 936-5926
dduncan@frenchlick.com
Fusion Media Strategies
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@fusionmediastrategies.com
United States Hickory Open
Chris Deinlein
(218) 844-3377
cdeinlein@triad.rr.com
