Lifetime Member (2014) Palmyra, Virginia
I started playing golf as a child at the Blacksburg Country Club and have many fond memories of walking the course in Ellett Valley all those years ago. As I got older, I played less and less due to family and work obligations. But over the last few years I’ve made a concerted effort to play more golf. That culminated in “hickory fever” during the summer of 2014. Terry, Bob and Skip all convinced me, over a wee nip, to give it a try. Terry loaned me a set of Tad Moore Star OA Irons, a 1925 MacGregor Driver, a putter and bag and sent me on my journey. I went out and walked 18 holes the next day and was hooked!
Once I settled in and remembered their sage advice, I applied the smooth, sweet swing a hickory club demands and a whole new world of golf opened up for me. I could go on and on about my infatuation with this avocation, but sufficed it to say, if weren’t for the welcoming and generous spirit of the VAHGA, the “Hickory Hokie” would never have been unleashed. Hickory fever has now transcended into a desire to engage in “Hickory Diplomacy”. I haven’t sold my modern clubs yet but I can’t see playing them any more. I really enjoy showing up at the course in full hickory attaire and seeing the interest that is generated in this style of play. I guess it’s in my blood, as you can see from the picture of my great grandfather above.
Eric’s Hickory Bag
In my humble opinion, one of the inviting elements of hickory golf is the availability of high quality, replica clubs. Without easy access to clubs, it is difficult to get started in this avocation. Putting together a set of original clubs, that you feel comfortable with, can take quite some time. Thankfully, there are replica club makers out there to help you get started as you explore your approach to the game. Likely you’ll want to acquire a playable set of original clubs, but if you are like me, you’ll want to get started playing as soon as possible. I had a fabulous experience working with the late Mike Just, at Louisville Golf, when I decided to put together my first set listed below.
- Black Brassie 12°(Jack White replica)
- Black Spoon 16°(Force Majeure)
- Cleek 21°(1924 MacGregor B25 Perfection replica)
- Mid Mashie 28°(George Nicoll replica)
- Mashie 36°(George Nicoll replica)
- Mashie Niblick 44°(George Nicoll replica)
- E. Just Niblick 56°(Stewart Maiden replica)
- ‘Ol Blue Putter (MacGregor Yardsmore replica)
Contact Eric
phone: (434) 806-6023
e-mail: ericjohnson@thehickoryhokie.com