Our hickory players shine in NZ

BGC Members have performed strongly in two recent hickory events played in New Zealand.

The 2023 New Zealand Hickory Open, held at Christchurch Golf Club in Shirley Hills was played on Sunday, 12 March with three BGC Members, Alan Grieve, Bruce Collins and Greg Mellifont in the field.

This was the second hickory open played ‘across the ditch’ and the tournament was hosted by one of NZ’s finest golfers in Sir Bob Charles, a multiple winner on the PGA and European Tours.

Bruce Collins, who won the nett competition at the 2022 Australian Hickory Championships, was too strong again and his three over score was enough to secure his second major nett win. Greg Mellifont finished 3rd in the nett while Alan Grieve finish T6. This is an outstanding result for Bruce who is now the nett champion in Australia and New Zealand.

Interestingly at 87 years of age, Sir Bob was the overall winner with his one over par round too good on the day.

Prior to the Open, a match between Australia and New Zealand for the Anzac Flask was played. This was the first time a Hickory International has been played between the two countries since the golden age of Hickory.

Australia was represented by the experienced team of Bruce Collins, Greg Mellifont, Alan Grieve, Peter Monk, Andrew Baker, Darron Watt and Andrew John Baker. With a US Hickory Open and three Australian Hickory Open champions in the Australian team it was always going to be a big ask for New Zealand to meet the bar but the result ended up being closer than expected.

A tightly fought match in the end with Australia winning by two shots, 108 vs 110.

Alan Grieve, speaking on behalf of the Australian team, said they would be defending the Anzac Flask back at Christchurch Golf Club next year.

The day concluded with the Australian team having an intimate one on one with Sib Bob in the Charles Room at the Christchurch Golf Club, which is a living museum of all of Sir Bob’s golfing achievements on display, followed by prize giving and dinner.