Del Monte is a Major Challenge When You Play It With Hickory Clubs

Del Monte put California golf on the map in 1916 when it became the first course West of the Rockies to host the prestigious Western Amateur.

More than 100 years later, Del Monte is still making history after hosting a unique throwback event.

Del Monte hosted the 10th Annual U.S. Hickory Open from July 10-12, becoming the first course West of the Mississippi to stage the national championship.

Gear up Hickory friends, it’s US Open time. #montereygolf #norcalhickory #vintagegolf #hickorygolf #societyofhickorygolfers #delmontegolfcourse

A post shared by Society of Hickory Golfers (@societyofhickorygolfers) on Jul 9, 2017 at 5:23pm PDT

“It was one of the neatest things I’ve seen in my 18 years here,” said Del Monte Head Pro Neil Allen. “They dress the part, they play the part, they live the part. That kind of passion you rarely see.”

Thank goodness for practice rounds prior to the U.S. Hickory Open. #13 at Del Monte Golf Course is one demanding tee shot. ?cred @matt.stovall1 #ushickoryopen #usho #delmontegolfcourse #sohg #societyofhickorygolfers #vintage #vintagegolf #golf #golfhistory #whyilovethisgame #instagolf #golfgram #playhickory #hickory #hickorygolf #bucketlist #pebblebeachresorts #california

A post shared by Billy Bogey (@billybogey) on Jul 10, 2017 at 5:44pm PDT

The event included a gross and net championship, complete with hickory-specific handicaps. The gross event was won by Nico Bollini, an accomplished player with Web.com Tour experience.

Congratulations to Nico Bollini, the new 2017 United States Hickory Open champion!! (12Jul17) #unitedstateshickoryopen #usho #delmontegolfcourse #societyhickorygolfers #sohg #golf #hickorygolf #playhickory #instagolf #whyilovethisgame @nbollini

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But the 6,365-yard, par-72 layout that first opened in 1897 was a Major challenge for the world’s best hickory-shafted players.

Bollini shot a two-day total of 9-over 153 and won a sudden-death playoff over last year’s runner-up Cliff Martin on No. 17 to capture the title. Four-time defending champion Jeremy Moe finished four strokes back. The Society of Hickory Golfers recapped this year’s event by writing:

Del Monte’s defense is two-fold. Tiny greens and abrasive, penalizing rough. The fairways and greens were in fine nick, lush, cushy, true. The greens were quick, diminutive, and pure. … Lesson number one, approach shots had to be exact. These were among the smallest greens many have seen in a long while. What a great test!

The small, sloping greens were a formidable defense, especially considering the field was playing with niblicks and jiggers and bulldogs and cleeks, not 460 cc drivers, hybrids, lob wedges and counterbalanced putters.

“They had to manage the course with the equipment they had,” Allen said. “It’s a different game.”

WIThB (What’s In The Hickory Bag). This is the first in a new series where the SoHG will post photos and descriptions of Hickory clubs used by tournament winners and Hickory players. Use search tag #withb_sohg to see the collection as it grows. Nico Bollini won the the 2017 US Hickory Open with this playset. Putter and Mashie by Sunningdale. Driver, Spoon, 3,4,5,7,88,&9 from Louisville Golf. Ball was Wilson Staff Duo. #societyofhickorygolfers #hickorygolf #ushickoryopen #vintagegolf

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But it’s still a fun one!

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