Metropolitan Hickory Society

An intimate group of well-dressed men of the Metropolitan Hickory Society battled the sweltering summer heat at Pelham Country Club The 2nd annual Squire tournament was named in honor of Gene “The Squire” Sarazen who defeated Walter Hagen in the 1923 PGA Championship. The Devereux Emmet designed course offered plenty of architectural intrigue. It presented quite a challenge despite measuring just under 5,100 yards. Former tour pro Dave Levesque shot a 75 to handily take home 1st gross while Jared Paletti claimed 1st reserve with his steady play.

1st Gross: Dave Levesque (75)
2nd Gross: Brian Schuman (89)
1st Reserve: Jared Paletti (75)
2nd Reserve: Bill Martin (78)

Our 2nd annual "Squire" Tournament will be hosted at Pelham Country Club on Thursday 8/6. Located in Pelham Manor, New York, this Devereux Emmet designed course famously played host to the 1923 PGA Championship in which Gene "The Squire" Sarazen defeated Walter Hagen. 4-time major champion James "Long Jim" Barnes also served as its head golf professional for 3 years in the early 1920s.

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Founding MHS member Brian Schuman attempting to escape a bunker on the 6th hole. The slope of the green is so severe that the only way to hold the green is to hit the ball sideways onto the rough and let it trickle down.

The name of our event “Nickel & Dime” is taken from the 6th hole on the center course, which comes from the strategy A.W. Tillinghast anticipated would be employed by the game’s best players. A Nickel (5-iron) to the fairway would be followed by a Dime (10-iron ) to the green. It suffices to say, it’s one of the most challenging holes at Ridgewood Country Club despite measuring only 275 yards from the back tees.

The Metropolitan Hickory Society returned to Ridgewood Country Club for its annual “Nickel & Dime” tournament in Paramus, NJ. Designed by golden age architect A.W. Tillinghast, RCC has held numerous PGA Tour & U.S. Amateur events. We sincerely thank MHS co-founder Mike Policano & fellow member Mike Hutchins. The "Nickel & Dime” was the first event hosted by MHS & has remained a staple on our circuit ever since. Click on the YouTube icon below for a video that documented it. We are truly grateful for our most gracious hosts.

It was great to welcome so many new faces this year along with our stalwarts. The conditions were fast, firm & fair. The light rain on the back nine was a welcome reprieve from the heat. Dave Leveque, a former tour pro, took home first gross in his first foray with hickories. It just goes to show that a good swing can hit any club. Our lovely dinner on the terrace capped off another great event. The results are as follows:

1st Gross: Dave Leveque (83)
2nd Gross: Jared Paletti & Mike Hutchins (86)
1st Reserve: Jared Paletti (67)
2nd Reserve: Mike Guerrero & Shawn Pierson (69

Hickory life :(

The weather did not dampen our spirit! The green on the opening hole at The Country Club of Scranton.

MHS's inaugural “Sledge & Wedge” tournament at The Country Club of Scranton bookended our 14th successful season. We battled through cold wind & rain but we agreed that it was worth it. The old school bar where smoking ci**rs is encouraged was the cherry on top. The undulating Walter Travis greens are truly special. They are proof of the old man’s creativity; though I doubt he ever imagined the speed at which they roll today. Jason Ross’s gross score of 84 edged out AJ MacVie by one stoke. I’m sure AJ is looking back at multiple putts he wished he could do over. Captain Emeritus Tim Alpaugh took home the 1st reserve followed by tournament committee member Tom Sullivan.

We especially thank Tim Alpaugh & Scranton’s head pro John Rogers along with Tom Sullivan & Mike Guerrero for assisting in the logistics. We attracted many new faces this year, which is a testament to the joy our eccentric group brings to the game of golf. In an era of ever-increasing equipment advances, hickory golf provides us a brief reprieve from the rat race. As serious examiners of the tradition of this game in America we are truly blessed to have clubs & hosts that allow us to drink from this fire hose of greatness. Thanks to each & every one of you who helped us promote hickory golf in the Metropolitan area & we look forward to 2026!

Results:
1st Gross: Jason Ross (84)
2nd Gross: AJ MacVie (85)
1st Reserve: Tim Alpaugh (72)
2nd Reserve: Tom Sullivan (75)

The Par-4 14th hole at Pelham Country Club.

The Metropolitan Hickory Society enjoyed a picture-perfect day for its inaugural "Squire" Tournament held in Pelham Manor, NY. It’s named in honor of Gene “The Squire” Sarazen who defeated Walter Hagen in the 1923 PGA Championship. The Devereux Emmet designed course offered plenty of architectural intrigue. It presented quite a challenge despite measuring just under 5,100 yards from the forward tees. MHS stalwart Ron Perlman & the well-dressed young gun Andrew Simmons tied for 1st gross while Mr. Barth claimed 1st reserve with his steady play.

Our dinner featured heartfelt speeches by Captain Bill Martin & Captain Emeritus Tim Alpaugh concerning Asher Fried, who passed away last week. Our dear friend was one of the founding members of MHS. Always the consummate gentleman, his presence will be missed. If you’d like to watch the speeches, you’ll find them in our google drive link below.

1st Gross (tie): Ron Perlman (85)
1st Gross: (tie): Andrew Simmons (85)
1st Reserve: Jeremy Barth (64)
2nd Reserve: Ron Perlman (69)

MHS Co-Chairman Jared Paletti with Mary Ann Sarazen, daughter of 7-time major champion Gene "The Squire" Sarazen

A special thanks to Crystal Martin for the picture