2024 New Zealand Hickory Open aiming high

By Neville Idour

Caption: Peter van Ekelen in his hickory golf sticks’ workshop.

New Zealand Hickory Open chairman Peter van Ekelen has announced the programme for the 2024 New Zealand Hickory Open and Asia Pacific Championship.

Van Ekelen expected it would attract an international field to the Christchurch Golf Club next March.

“We have an extensive programme of hickory golf, including various events leading up to the open,’’ Van Ekelen said.

``The programme will not only cater for golf enthusiasts but also provides partner events such as regional wine tours.”

From humble beginnings the event now stands as arguably the best hickory tournament in the southern hemisphere, if not the world, according to van Ekelen.

These sentiments were shared by the Australian team, including four Australian champions and one world champion who competed in the 2023 event. As a Golf New Zealand sanctioned national championship it needs to maintain a high standard as expected by an international field.

Van Ekelen added: “We anticipate welcoming representatives from the International Society of Hickory Golf who will not only compete but learn from our event to set new standards for the World Hickory Championship.

``New Zealand is the first country to establish a separate hickory handicap. Additionally Golf New Zealand’s commitment to forming a virtual hickory club supporting all New Zealand hickory players on the Dot Golf framework further strengthens the hickory golf growth.”

The 2023 NZ Open had 67 players, more than competed in the Australian event on the Melbourne sandbelt which received significant support from New Zealand and Japanese players.

With a more robust New Zealand-wide marketing campaign including electronic, it is hoped players from throughout the country will make the effort to join this unique occasion with what promises to be an international field.

Christchurch Golf Club players Catherine Palmer and Mark Lawson won the Australian Foursomes and Women’s Asia-Pacific titles and can be expected to be in contention at Christchurch in March.

The confirmed programme of events for the New Zealand Hickory Open, starting Tuesday, March 5, are as follows.

March 5: SOHG Asia-Pacific Championship singles, 18 holes at the Christchurch Club followed by a dinner function and presentation.

March 6: Optional. Christchurch Golf Club men’s field, 18 holes hickory.

March 7: Nine holes foursomes/singles at Tai Tapu Golf Club with spit roast dinner to follow.

March 8: Anzac Flask (Australia vs NZ) and guests. Japan Cup (Japan vs NZ). Presentation and dinner.

March 9: Christchurch GC mens day. Hickory guests welcome. 18 holes.

March 10: New Zealand Hickory Open, 12 holes foursomes/singles on special open layout. Running concurrently, second round of the SOHG Asia-Pacific Championship over 12 holes. Dinner and presentations conclude the event.