It is a rainy April day as I write this update for our hickory golf friends. Both the day and the rain is warm, giving us hope of a summer to come. But here in Northern New England, April hope is tempered by the words of Robert Frost:
“The sun was warm but the wind was chill
You know how it is with an April day
When the sun is out and the wind is still
You are one month on in the middle of May
But if you so much as dare to speak
A cloud comes over the sun lite arch
A wind comes off a frozen peak
And you are two months back in the middle of March”
But the same optimism that gives me hope with each swing of my mashie, gives me hope for the golfing season to come. In Vermont, Gov Scott has extended his “stay at home” order to May 15th. Golf courses are considered non-essential and are required to remain closed.
The Board of Directors has reluctantly decided to cancel our annual Vermont Hickory Scotch foursomes tournament scheduled for June 13th at Copley Golf Club. But we remain excited to host the 2020 Vermont Hickory Open at The Golf Club at Equinox on August 15th and 16th. We are hopeful that golf courses, restaurants, lodging facilities, and shops will all be fully operational before that date. Please visit the Vermont Hickory Golf Association web site and review the information under the “events” tab (www.vthga.org).
For your information and planning, I share the following information as of this date:
- The Alexander Findlay Hickory Open scheduled for May 15th at Greenfield, MA has been postponed.
- The White Mountain Open scheduled for July 11th at Bretton Woods, NH is still being contested.
- The Vermont Hickory Open scheduled for August 15th & 16th at the Equinox, Manchester, VT is still being contested.
- The Montague Hickory Classic scheduled for September 12th at Montague Golf Club in Randolph VT is still being contested.
- New this year, the inaugural hickory event at the Donald Ross designed Cape Neddick in Ogunquit Maine is scheduled for September 19th.
We are disappointed that the start of our season will be later than usual, but there will still be plenty of golf to play in Northern New England. Also, be sure to visit the Society of Hickory Golf website to learn of other hickory golf events being held throughout the country.
Peter Nowlan
Vermont Hickory Golf Association