Hickory Stick Classic Is August 17

Wawashkamo Golf Club will host the sixth annual Hickory Stick Classic starting Friday, August 17, with a traditional shootout and cookout. The tournament will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, August 18.

Wawashkamo PGA Golf Professional Fred "Fritz" George said 45 golfers will participate in the classic this year. Two-thirds are Wawashkamo members and the rest venture in from elsewhere in Michigan and other states.

The tournament is played using the traditional hickory club shafts similar to how golf was played in the 19th century. Men will also be dressed in the proper neckties and knickers and women period cotton dresses and bonnets.

"I think it's special here because of the fact that the golf course hasn't been changed since 1912," Mr. George said about the popularity of the tournament, noting that hickory was the only club played in the early 1900s. "That's real appealing to those guys that are real hickory stick players."

Over the years, Wawashkamo members have purchase their own sets. In the tournament's inaugural year, Mr. George said he rented more than 30 sets of hickory clubs. For this year's tournament, he needed to rent only four sets.

Friday's shootout will be followed by a barbecue. The events are scheduled to begin around 4 p.m.