Hickory Hero

Former Hong Kong international Rick Valentine claims World Hickory title with clubs his great grandfather made

Valentine wins at the sixth hole of play-offRick's great grandfather was Joe Anderson, a well-known clubmaker from Perth.

"With the help of the hickory enthusiasts I have managed to collect a full set of Joe Anderson clubs, which I used to win here," said Rick.

The World Hickory Open Championship was inaugurated back in 2005 and has since become popular across Europe and the USA. This year, it attracted almost 100 amateurs and professionals from Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, the USA, Australia, South Africa, France and Poland as well as from the four home countries.

Under the rules of the tournament, competitors are allowed to use modern balls but clubs have to have been made before 1935, or be replicas of clubs manufactured before that date.

"I think spending some time playing hickory clubs is great for your game as it re-focuses you on tempo and puts a premium on good ball striking," added Valentine, who won the China Amateur in 2000.

"There is a lot more flex and torque in hickory clubs so swinging fast and jerkily won't get you anywhere. You've got to learn to feel your way around the golf course and that's a skill that can help you when you go back to playing the modern game."

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