Golf: San Sebastián Hickory Golf Open, an ode to the most ancient of sports

Basozabal Golf Course will host the fourth edition of the Hickory Golf Open San Sebastián on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 August. This is a golf tournament dedicated to the most nostalgic enthusiasts of this sport. And in this discipline, you play and wear special clothes, as well as respect the rules of the oldest golf game. All players will have to play with old clothes and wooden sticks from pre-1935, which display a very strong and eye-catching image. The tournament is committed to durability over time and traditional values, and a respect for golf’s history and heritage. It is a sporting event that is hard to find anywhere else.

The balls are made from Gutta-Percha -latex- and imitate those used for nearly a century in the US and UK. In addition, they will each receive a CD Basozabal shield printed on them, and each participant will be presented with one of them, regardless of their performance. Gloves are not allowed and players will not be able to place the ball as before. It would also not be possible to use existing technology, such as buggies, electric cars, lasers or custom watches.

exponential growth

The tournament grows every year. In its first edition, just over ten players took part, while this time around sixty participants are expected. Registration will open a week before the tournament, and it’s open to anyone who wants to have a good day golfing the old-fashioned way. Players from everywhere are expected in this fourth edition. Madridists, Andalusians and French will meet local golfers.

Within the tournament there are two different competitions. One is disputed in the scramble (Mexican) mode, by groups, which will be held on the 19th. The other test will be the individual test, which will be held on the 20th. In addition, a distinction is made between amateurs and professionals. In the case of an expert competition, the winner will be rewarded with an economic prize. In the past two years, a player has been involved in the stature of Txma Olzabal, champion of two Augusta Masters, among many others. The tournament has charitable purposes, so all the money raised will go to the NGO of the Gipuzkoan College of Engineers.

Hickory golf pull out

Hickory Golf became popular in the United States and the United Kingdom, where the practice of golf began to develop. Until 2016 it did not reach the Spanish territory, coinciding with the centenary of the Real Club de Golf de Zarautz. The starting point for this system has spawned the debate over whether today’s players are better than last year’s, which is why since 2019 every summer honor is being paid to the purest golf in Basozabal.