College of Golf June 2021 Events
Keiser University Students Enjoy Participating
in Historic Hickory Putting Championship
Keiser University College of Golf Professor Ken Martin’s class members recently enjoyed a unique opportunity when he organized a putting competition using hickory-shafted putters and golf balls from different historical eras, beginning in the early 1800s and progressing through the modern-day.
The History of Golf class students gathered at the outdoor putting green as Martin explained each of the six different stations, culminating in an 18-hole putting competition. Students putted three-hole segments with each of the following:
* Long nose putter and featherie golf ball (pre-1848)
* Kempshall Pyraline putter and smooth gutta percha golf ball (1848-1850)
* Wry-neck blade putter and hand-hammered gutta percha golf ball (1850-1865)
* Brown-Vardon semi-mallet head putter and bramble pattern gutta percha golf ball (1865-1900)
* Schenectady center-shafted putter and balata covered golf ball (1900-1960)
* Bobby Jones “Calamity Jane” putter and Pro V-1 golf balls (1960-modern day)
Par for the course was 36, and the Champion of the Historic Open Putting Championship was Steve Burgess, who scored 41, tying with Brian Solnick for first place. In the sudden-death playoff, Burgess scored an aggregate three-hole score of seven to claim a one-stroke victory.
Professor Ken Martin (L) Presenting Trophy to Historic Hickory Open Putting Champion Steve Burgess (R)
Historic Hickory Open Putting Champion Steve Burgess
If these events sound like fun, contact us today to chat about starting a career in golf.
