Written by Tom Tracy, IGA Contributor
The 2024 “Spud Cup” is in the books, and by most accounts, it was a roaring success. Thirty-two courageous souls, dressed in knickers, flat caps and long skirts wielded 100-year-old clubs in quest of prizes and eternal glory at River Birch Golf Course in Star, Idaho, on May 31-June 1. The expected sideways duffs were more than offset by some incredible performances in all flights (Open, Senior and Ladies). Perfect course conditions and weather led to record scoring in this second annual event.
Idaho Golf Association Player of the Year in 2023, Boise’s Burke Spensky, demolished the Open Division with a second-day 68 (five under par), which included six birdies and an eagle on the challenging par-5 ninth hole. His two-day total of 145 was good for an eight-shot margin over Walla Walla’s Brian Hansen, who only recently took up hickory golf. Spensky, for that matter, using just six borrowed clubs and driving the ball nearly 300 yards, had not touched a hickory club since his victory last year. Third place at 156 went to event organizers Tom and Sue Tracy’s son Mac, 35, who was playing his first hickory event using the other half of his dad’s borrowed set.
Senior Division (men over 60) honors went to John Henry Williams of Bend, Oregon, who fired a fine 151 36-hole total, including a one over par 74 on the second day. As a former World Hickory Open champion, he was never challenged as second place went to Tom Tracy with 157. The first net finisher was another new-to-hickory player, Meridian’s Chuck Horel.
In the Ladies Division, Sue Tracy, another former World Hickory Open champ, ran away with low gross honors with a fine 164 (87-77) total. She was followed by Boise’s Diana Sellers and Terri Nero, who tied for runner-up at 188.
(Photos provided by Tom Tracy)
The first day also included a mixed-team competition, which was won by the “Au Gratins,” comprised of JH Williams, Sue Tracy, Chuck Horel and Sue McNab. Some claimed the team was stacked, but the tournament committee denied collusion or bribery.
Low gross and low net winners were presented with custom carved, engraved hickory cutting boards, and various other awards were presented to participants. Eight players had never played pre-1935 clubs before, and several others had only played once at last year’s event. Players came from as far as California, Washington, Oregon and Arizona to participate.
Hickory shaft golf play is growing across the country and globally, with the Society of Hickory Golfers (www.hickorygolfers.com) now having over 700 active members. The regional group Northwest Hickory Players (www.nwhickoryplayers.org) is very active and anticipates hosting the U.S. Hickory Open in 2026.
Next year’s event is expected to be bigger and even more fun!