by Dave Finn
As published on page 40-41 in Volume 26 Issue 2 of Golf Central Magazine – May 2025
As a true golf enthusiast, you must have imagined yourself standing on the first tee at one of the world’s most historic links golf courses with 5-foot ocean swales pounding the coastline, forming an ideal backdrop. The forecast calls for an overcast day with a high of 59 degrees. The onshore winds blow directly into your face, averaging 30 miles per hour but gusting to 50. The fescue looks like it rises above your knees, and two deep-faced sod bunkers look almost impossible to get out of.
Dressing up for the World Hickory Open at Old Musselburg Golf Club
Now imagine everyone around you dressed in vintage regalia – men with knickerbockers, knee-high, ornate socks, and ladies adorned in long flaring dresses and fancy hats. Add the fact that you are all playing with hickory golf clubs, and it feels like you could be playing against Old Tom Morris and Willie Parker Senior for the first official British Open.
Kilspindie Golf Club
In October 2017, I had the unforgettable opportunity to participate in the 13th annual World Hickory Open Championship in East Lothian and win the two-day Stableford event at Kilspindie. This event was my first visit to Scotland – the “Home of Golf”- and my first time playing with hickory clubs. It proves that dreams do come true.
Nasty bunkers at Old Musselburg Golf Club – Photo by Sean Kelly
After a horrendous practice round, a local, Chris Homer, graciously lent me one of his sets and consoled me with his reassurance that “every hickory club has its own personality. You must get to know them individually,” and these were meant for me that I felt a glimmer of hope. Still, it wasn’t until our official starter, Allan Crow, placed his hand on my shoulder and told me, “Low and slow, laddie, low and slow,” that I finally caught on. It also didn’t take me long to learn how to hit a bump-and-run shot since nothing would hold on those Scottish greens.
Kilspindie Golf Club – Courtesy of Neil Hanna
Two-time title sponsor Sean Kelly of LinkedGolfers told me that the “World Hickory Open Championship celebrates the skill, honour, and camaraderie- the foundational values that the game’s founding fathers exemplified. It also honours a period of golf that relied substantially more on feel and creativity”.
Dunbar Golf Club – Photo courtesy of Foremost Photography
The week-long festival comprises multiple tournaments, including one recognized internationally as hickory golf’s most prestigious major. It draws a full field of professional and amateur players with flights organized to provide the best experience for everyone.
That year, over 120 competitors from 15 countries vied for world supremacy. By the end of the week, I had made new life-long friends from around the world who exhibited the same passion for hickory golf.
Boris and Dave at Kilspindie – Photo by Neil Hanna
I have since collected and retrofitted two sets of hickory clubs to share the experience with others. I have also returned to Scotland for two more championships and now play in numerous events throughout Canada and the US.
Registration is now open for the 2025 World Hickory Open in Aberdeen, which runs from October 5th to 9th. Courses include Murcar, Fraserburgh, Newburgh on Ythan and Montrose. For more information, visit www.worldhickoryopen.com.
Scotland – World Hickory Open for Golf Central Magazine – May 20205
To read the entire May 2025 issue of Golf Central Magazine click here.
