The Elkdale Open, the first of the Buffalo District Golf Association's J-Class, one-day invitationals, will be held on Sunday, June 3rd, at the Elkdale Country Club in Salamanca, NY. The event offers 150 OnCore Race To The Porter Cup points to the winner. In 2017, Billy Hanes defeated Vinny Lazzara to win the title, after both golfers tied at 71 in regulation play. Bartlett country club's Tim Hall, jr., was the 2016 champion with a 3-under 69. In 2015, Matt Delong of Conewango Valley country club (Pennsylvania) overcame a triple bogey on the 6th hole to shoot 68 and claim the winner's trophy.
Jack Widger, longtime professional and the heart and soul of Elkdale, answered three questions for us about the tournament and its appeal. Thank you, Jack, for your time and energy.
1. Tell us how the Elkdale Open was started, back in the day.
This event has been played as far back as I can remember. I was a junior member at Elkdale and grew up playing here. I called Danny Kaye and he told me 1966 his brother Billy Kaye started the tournament, which makes 52 years. Danny and Billy were PGA professionals at Elkdale.
2. What holes are the key to victory, in your opinion?
Key holes would be 14, its has one of the hardest greens to putt, and the tee shot can be nerve racking with out of bounds the entire right side. #6 is a long narrow par 4, the tee shot is difficult with the fairway narrowing where the longer hitters would be landing and out of bounds lurks the entire left side of the hole.
3. What brings the area's best golfers to this wonderful little course?
I think it’s the chance to play in a individual stroke play event. So many of the tournaments they play in for business and charity events that they play scramble or best ball. It’s fun to play against a field of low handicap players and get the competitive juices flowing. I also think it’s a fun and fair course to play. It’s not long so even the shorter hitter can win. 2014 Bob Rosen won beating Mike McNulty in a playoff. They shot even par 70. Also the BDGA allowing us to offer our event as a player of the year points event really has brought the level of field up in the past few years.
Click Here for Elkdale Open Flyer
