Recap: Hidden Creek Spring Member-Guest Invitational
Hidden Creek’s Spring Member-Guest Invitational, held June 3 – 5, hosted 72 players for a five-match best ball format tournament. Sixteen players were able to stay onsite in a house (three more houses coming in winter 2021!).
The event kicked off with an 1 p.m. shotgun start for the practice round / team stableford event on Thursday. The evening brought storms, so the welcome party dinner was held indoors but still impressed with wood-fired whole Branzino, New Zealand racks of lamb, fire-roasted jerk Cornish hen, and a DIY couscous bar. Those who dared to brave the humidity were treated to bourbon and cigars near the firepit.
Friday morning started with bacon cheese enchiladas, acai power bowls, a bloody mary bar, and a 9 a.m. shotgun start to Round 1.
It was an intense day of play, with 27 holes across three matches followed by another thunderstorm. Though outdoor evening activities were rained out both nights, and “it seemed Mother Nature was trying to keep us from finishing the event” noted Head Professional Zach Hamilton, the weather held through all tournament rounds. The 3 inches of rain were but a minor hindrance on the course, due to the hot temperatures all weekend.
On Friday evening, players enjoyed an epic surf ‘n’ turf spread featuring Piedmontese slow roast prime rib and a clambake with local clams, king crab, local lobster, and local mussels. Truffled loaded potato gratin, a Mediterranean grilled veggie board, and an Italian ice station topped it off.
Saturday started off with a bang when Patrick Fischoeder (guest of Ben Rubenstein) aced #11 during Round 4. After semi-final scoring following Round 5, flight winners began the shootout just before 3 p.m. on Holes 1, 8, and 9. Four teams were eliminated, then two more, with the final two teams of Fox/Fox and Ivey/Calderaro to duel it out.
Bob Ivey and guest Bill Calderaro became victorious with a solid put to snag par (at 5). Joe Fox and guest Kevin Fox were right behind with a bogey.
Congrats to the event’s overall winners and flight winners:
Shootout Winners, Ben Hogan Flight Winners: Member Bob Ivey and Bill Calderaro (pictured with caddie Josh Czaikowski)
Shootout Runnersup, Gary Player Flight Winners: Joe Fox and Kevin Fox
Jack Nicklaus Flight Winners: Rick Huskey and Mike Truran
Arnold Palmer Flight Winners: Dan Dufner and Tom Dufner
Bobby Jones Flight Winners: Dan Close and Doug Baughman
Ben Crenshaw Flight Winners: Jeff Hanson and Brian Herman
There’s a second Member-Guest at Hidden Creek this fall—registration opens soon!