Hick giving a talk in the sunshine at Barseback
Hick giving a talk in the sunshine at
Barseback
Our hero crossed the North Sea in July to take Past Masters Old Links Golf Events to Sweden for a mini tour in conjunction with the Swedish Hickory Championships 2002.
The event was to be held at Torekov this year and thanks to our Swedish friends, especially Claes Kvist, seen left in Hick's event marquee, a number of clubs in Southern Sweden decided to stage their own mini hickory challenges.
The first was held at Kristianstad, Ahus, and its success heralded a great start to the week.
The championships were held at the weekend on Torekov's original old nine hole course, specially restored for the event. Chris set a course record on the practice day but in one of those cruel tricks of golf and form, had a dreadful day on the day itself and the title goes back to Sweden.
Never mind - there is always next year, when the championships move to Stockholm! There were spectators and national press there this year. The whole hickory scene is really taking off in Scandinavia.
The club held another Old Links event on the following day which was again a great success with the sun shining down as it was for the rest of the following week's tour at Bastad, Viken and Barseback.
A slightly damp but nonetheless
enthusiastic
crowd at the Championship at Torekov
Hick was most appreciative of the most friendly
welcome, and wonderful hospitality he was shown. Everywhere
enthusiasm and interest for Past Masters Old Links Golf was amazing and we plan
to return for several more tours next year. One idea we are looking into
is the possibility of running a hickory sticks event in the most northerly club
in
Sweden in the midnight sun!
For more photos from the tour click here
Two Swedish ladies dress the part at
Barseback
