U.S. Hickory Open

The ’26 US Hickory Open is in the books!  112 players from around the globe—Australia, New Zealand, Canada and 22 states in the U.S. participated.  It was great to welcome Tad Moore, one of the founding members of the SoHG and first president of the board.  The field may have been one of the strongest in USHO history—12 professionals, 20+/- with handicap indexes below 10 and 7 players whose GHIN index was in plus figures.  We also welcomed seven former USHO Champions responsible for at least 12 wins in the event.

The 2026 United States Hickory Open Championship was played at Gearhart Golf Links, on the coast of Oregon.  GGL is located where golf was first played in 1892 and the eventual course that is played today is the result of many hands.  This current rendition is rated by Golf Digest as the 7th best “True Linksland Course” in the United States.  With rolling fairways—firm and fast—and small greens—hard to read (also firm and fast)—the course posed a great challenge to the players.  But fun? You betcha!

After two days of cool weather and typical Pacific Northwest gray skies, giving way to bright blue sunshine in the afternoon a champion was crowned.  Grant Raffel, an amateur now residing in Maine, won with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden death playoff.  Matt Hoffman, a professional from West Virginia, could not match Grant’s birdie and placed 2nd. Third place in the “Open” division was Jeremy Moe, from nearby Portland.

In the Ladies Division, former WHO Women’s Champion, Sue Tracy from Idaho won the ultimate prize, edging out Kathleen Turner of Port Orchard, Wa, by two strokes.  Third place medal went to Chelsea Guenette, Snoqualmie, Wa–the ’21 Champion.  Net prizes for the Ladies went to Paula Anderson, Port Orchard, Wa—1st, and Merri Rieger, Port Orchard, Wa. 2nd.

The Senior Division Champ was Mark Keating, Oregon, followed by Chris Conklin, Kansas and 3rd was shared by Rodney Langton, Georgia and Kit Ledbetter from Lopez Island, Washington. By USHO guidelines, both Rodney and Kit will receive matching medals.  Net winners were led by James Eike from Wisconsin.  2nd net was shared by Patrick Flynn, Seattle (won by a scorecard playoff) and Richard Young from Oregon.

The Super Senior Division was swept by players from Arizona.  Our champ was Ed Horvatt, 2nd was Ken Potts and 3rd place was Don Jackson. Those three were separated by only 3 strokes total.  Net for the Super Seniors were 1st—Ken Coleman, Shelton, Washington; 2nd, Joe Bradshaw, Louisville, Kentucky and 3rd, Russell Eaves, Greenville, North Carolina.

What a great course to host a U.S. Hickory Open!  GGL lends itself to the running game. Many of the players experienced what firm greens do to niblick shots that fly to the pin, after playing their next from the back of the green or beyond. There was very little margin for error but great rewards for well played pitch and runs.

The Committee thanks all who donated items for the Tournament Raffle, the results of which support this Open and the SoHG as well.  Some really great stuff was won.

And now, the planning begins for the 2027 U.S. Hickory Open in South Carolina.  Pine Lakes Country Club at Myrtle Beach, SC, was the first ever golf course in Myrtle Beach and will be celebrating their 100th year.  The Robert White designed course is ready to welcome the Society of Hickory Golfers for the 20th USHO!!!  Information to follow will appear here on the SoHG website.

The Tournament Committee and the Northwest Hickory Players as well as the staff at the Gearhart Golf Links were happy to host this event and thank so many players who traveled so far to be in the esteemed field.

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