Australian Somers Shines at World Hickory Open Championship
24th September 2010

Perry Somers winner of Individual Title

Australian Perry Somers is the new World Hickory Open Champion after overcoming the challenge from local professional Alastair Good in an intriguing battle at Gullane.

Somers, originally from Queensland but now a teaching professional in Germany, posted an eight-over par 76 on Gullane's No 3 course for a 36-hole aggregate of 154, two clear of Good as the duo produced some excellent golf in testing conditions in East Lothian. Good's rounds of 79 and 77 gave him second place, with St Andrews New Club's Ewan Glen winning the handicap section on 156.

Starting the day a shot behind, Good raced into the lead at the turn with an outward half of 36, but a lost ball at the 16 th lead to a triple bogey as he relinquished first spot to the experienced Australian. Somers was out in 40, but an excellent inward half of 36, including a birdie two at the 11 th , gave him victory, adding to the Hickory Championships he has won in Germany, France and the Czech Republic already this year.

"It's a great honour to win the World Hickory Championship here at Gullane in Scotland and a real pleasure to play alongside Alastair Good today," said a delighted Somers. "Our golfing forefathers would be proud to see us continue their traditions and hopefully we can keep growing this event."

"I've only been playing hickory for the last two years but as soon as I put on the plus fours and tie I feel inspired and in my element. I absolutely love the game but I reckon I was born 90 years too late!"

Loretto School's Director of Golf Rick Valentine, winner of the team event yesterday, finished in tied third after rounds of 84 and 82, with team-mate Timon Sitte fifth on 169.

Final Leaderboard

1. 154 Perry Somers (Australia) - 78, 76

2. 156 Alastair Good (Gullane) - 79, 77

T3. 166 Ewan Glen (St Andrews New) - 84, 82

T3. 166 Rick Valentine (Loretto School Golf Academy) - 84, 82

5. 169 Timon Sitte (Loretto School Golf Academy) - 88, 81

Team Success for Loretto in World Hickory Open Championship
24th September 2010

Rick Valentine led the team of Timon Sitte and Andrew Minto

Loretto School Golf Academy emerged singing in the rain as they lifted the Team Trophy at the World Hickory Open Championship played on Gullane No 2 today.

Professional Rick Valentine led the team of Timon Sitte and Andrew Minto to a four-under par aggregate of 67, two shots clear of Gullane PGA professional Alastair Good and his team-mates Colin Sinclair (Gullane) and Frenchman Patrice Raffenbech.

Australian professional Perry Somers leads the individual championship after the opening round, firing an impressive seven-over par 78 in wet and windy conditions to finish one ahead of Good, with the second round played tomorrow over the No 3 course. Loretto's Valentine is five shots further back in sixth spot.

Team Scores:

Individual Leaderboard (Round 1):

Premier World Hickory Event over five courses
attracts international field to East Lothian
17th September 2010

Lionel Freedman (Image ComproPR)

The Sixth World Hickory Open under the aegis of the Scottish Golf Union will be played at Gullane at the end of next week. However, it is again to be preceded by a Festival of Hickory Golf on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday over the historic Musselburgh Old Links, the site of six Opens in the late nineteenth century, then over the challenging Craigielaw course before the international field moves to Archerfield, where the Fidra course will be played on Wednesday.

However, the climax of the week will be the 36-hole World Hickory Open this year being played over Gullane 2 & 3 courses, the latter especially suited to hickory golf. The field will yet again be packed with top internationalists with current US Hickory champion Mike Stevens, Swedish Hickory champion Klas Ohlsson - also a professional player - and Gullane's own pro Alastair Good, who came so close to clinching the title last year.

Chairman Lionel Freedman says that the tournament has been designed in such a way that he is able to take on late entries, who will benefit, for instance, from the heavily discounted green fees, which will be available at both Archerfield (only accessible with a member normally) and at Gullane. Open entry also entitles each player to attend the Gala Dinner on Thursday in the Gullane clubhouse

Hickory clubs of pre-1936 vintage are available free of charge to players who enter. The organisers have also made the first three days open to players with steel shafted clubs.

"But beware," says Mr Freedman," you'll be hooked on hickory golf before you know it."  Lionel Freedman is available on 0131 665 4861.