Mann lands Hickory title

Tartan tour regular Fraser Mann has, finally, won the LinkedGolfers World Hickory Open.

Played at Kilspindie at Aberlady, for the first time, Mann outlasted a field of 120 competitors from 13 countries in testing conditions.

Rounds of 71 and 70 gave him a total of 141 for a four-shot win - impressive scores in any period but even better when achieved with clubs that date back 100 years.

Rick Valentine (Loretto School), a former winner, finished second on 145. Andrew Marshall from Norfolk, the 2015 winner, shot 148 to take joint third with Paolo Quirici (73-75).

Hickory Golf is played with original or pre-1936 replica hickory-shafted clubs and yet skilful players, such as last year’s winner and former Masters and Open champion Sandy Lyle, are still able to hit their drives close to 300 yards and record as low as 67, although this mark has been achieved only twice in the tournament’s 13-year history.

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