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Sunset over the green at Golf Club Villa d’Este, with a bunker and flag in the foreground and forested hills in the distance.

REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSED
Hickory Masters 2026

13th–14th May 2026
Circolo Golf Villa d'Este, Como
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Group photo of participants in vintage golf attire at the Hickory Masters tournament outside the clubhouse at Circolo Golf Villa d’Este.

Hickory Masters 2026

The inaugural Hickory Masters brought together the world's finest hickory golfers at Villa d'Este, marking the beginning of a new chapter in authentic hickory golf.

Group photo of participants in vintage golf attire at the Hickory Masters tournament outside the clubhouse at Circolo Golf Villa d’Este.

Hickory Masters 2026

The inaugural Hickory Masters brought together the world's finest hickory golfers at Villa d'Este, marking the beginning of a new chapter in authentic hickory golf.

37 Players
16 Countries represented
13 Professional Players
70 Articles published

The players who made history

A distinguished line-up of Professional Players united by craft, character and a shared respect for the old game.
Alongside them, amateur and senior competitors from across the championship's various categories took to the course, each contributing to a memorable inaugural edition defined by sportsmanship, camaraderie and timeless golfing values.

Markus-Brier
Markus BrierAustria

Markus Brier won the Austrian Open three times, becoming the first Austrian golfer to win on the European Tour.

David-Cai
David CaiChina

David Cai, PGA Class-A professional in Hong Kong, captains the Hong Kong Hickory Golf Team and promotes hickory golf.

Emanuele-Canonica
Emanuele CanonicaItaly

Emanuele Canonica led European Tour driving distance rankings from 1998 to 2000 and caddied at the 2009 Masters Tournament.

Iain-Forrester
Iain ForresterScotland & Netherlands

Iain Forrester, Scottish fifth-generation golfer and PGA Holland archivist, plays hickory Championships and writes about Dutch golf history today.

Brian-Gee
Brian GeeEngland & Netherlands

Brian Gee, former coach, collects hickory clubs, created a Hickory Museum and donated rare clubs to Nederlands Golf Museum.

Thomas-Goegle
Thomas GögeleGermany

Thomas Gögele turned professional at 15, becoming Germany’s youngest professional, and now runs a Bavarian golf school with Nicole.

Andrew-Masrhsall
Andrew MarshallEngland

Andrew Marshall joined the Legends Tour in 2023, started strongly, and won the 2021 Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship.

Per-Göran-Nyman
Per Göran NymanSweden

Per Göran Nyman, former tour player and Växjö course manager, embraced hickory golf after retiring from tours in 2006.

Gary-Orr
Gary OrrScotland

Gary Orr, European Tour Rookie of the Year, won a 2018 hickory event before his first Legends Tour title.

Paolo-Quirici
Paolo QuiriciSwitzerland

Paolo Quirici, Hickory Golf Masters SA co-founder, won the 2025 German Hickory Open with a record round of 63.

Jean-François-Remésy
Jean-François RemésyFrance

Jean-François Remésy won the Open de France in 2004 and 2005, France’s first home winner there in 35 years.

Perry-Somers
Perry SomersAustralia

Perry Somers, leading international hickory golfer, re-enacted an 1870 match across historic Scottish links, winning after a dramatic comeback.

Heinz-Peter-Thül
Heinz Peter ThülAustralia

Heinz Peter Thül, teaching professional and Sky commentator, has played 350 tournaments and belongs to the Hickory Society Cologne.

The appeal to the very best hickory players. Playing in a setting that enhances the traditions of the game, and by a course staff that respects hickories and welcomes play. This event absolutely set the high bar for what hickory events can be.

The caddies and authenticity of clubs, clothing and balls. The focus on that it should feel like it is the year 1930. Everything was great! Original clubs only, proper attire of the time, one ball type for all players.

I enjoyed the golf course and location
The all inclusive of food and beverage on course, the caddies. I'd be surporised if it could be any better. It was a well organised fantastic experience. The format and organization of the competition (playing in a professionally organised event has been inspiring)

I hope even more people will join in the future to make the event bigger while preserving its traditions.

It was wonderful to be part of the inaugural event and I wish the tournament a long life! (...) I was very happy with the days at Villa d'Este. Great people, wunderful golfcourse, super food, I really enjoyed it and will always have good memories when thinking back to the Event.

Very big props to the entire staff! The course, to management, for the sponsors. Picking up the tab for caddies and snacks at the turn was very generous. The prizes were well considered and executed. So very, very, well done.

I would like to thank you for the organisation, it was just great to be there! It was one of the best golf experiences i have had in 50 years of playing golf. So many special memories already.

It was a great joy to participate, and my wife and I had a great time. Kudos & thanks to everyone! Very enjoyable and professional organised. (...) Overall excellent experience and great people in friendly peoples.

It is unique and should be staying in this configuration. Hope to see the next edition and enjoy it again. Was a great event.


A new chapter in Hickory Golf history

Hickory Golf Masters was founded in 2024 with a clear ambition: to bring hickory golf back into the spotlight as the purest and most traditional form of the original game.

Two years later, on 13–14 May 2026, that vision became reality at Circolo Golf Villa d’Este, chosen to host the inaugural Hickory Masters 2026.

The tournament welcomed an international field of professionals and passionate hickory golfers, all competing under authentic conditions: original pre-1935 clubs, period dress and traditional rules.

No modern replicas, no trolleys, no rangefinders, just players, caddies and the game as it was meant to be played.

Across two unforgettable days, Villa d'Este became the stage for a competition defined by precision, patience and respect for tradition. Despite challenging weather at times, the spirit of the event never faded, culminating in an elegant prize-giving ceremony that celebrated winners across every category.

Markus Brier became the first Hickory Masters Champion, engraving his name on the Silver Rake Niblick Trophy and marking the beginning of a new tradition in international hickory golf.

The inaugural Hickory Masters proved that hickory golf is far more than a tribute to the past. It is a living form of competition that continues to inspire players from around the world.

The first Hickory Masters 2026 Champion

After two days of closely contested golf, Markus Brier claimed victory at the inaugural Hickory Masters, finishing one stroke ahead of the field.

With a composed performance across both rounds, Brier secured his place in the history of the event, becoming the first player to lift the Hickory Masters trophy and write his name into the opening chapter of a new golfing tradition.

Markus-Brier


Markus Brier

First Hickory Masters Winner

One stroke. Three former World Champions behind him.
His name, the first ever engraved on the Silver Rake Niblick.


Top par: +3 R1: 69 R2: 72 Total: 141

The prize winners

Alongside the overall champion, awards were presented across every competition category, celebrating skill, sportsmanship and the spirit of traditional golf.

Markus-Brier-Winner-Hickory-Masters-2026
Hickory-Masters-winner-1
Hickory-Masters-winner-11
Hickory-Masters-winner-7
Hickory-Masters-winner-10
Hickory-Masters-winner-6
Hickory-Masters-winner-9
Hickory-Masters-winner-3
Hickory-Masters-winner-8
Hickory-Masters-winner-4
Hickory-Masters-winner-5
Hickory-Masters-winner-2

Hotels

 

To enhance your Hickory Masters 2026 tournament experience, you may reserve your stay at one of three exclusive partner hotels: Castello di Casiglio Relais, Le Stanze del Lago - Villa Seta, Le Stanze del Lago - Suites & Pool.
Each property offers refined hospitality and tailored conditions dedicated to our guests.

To access the special rates reserved for the Hickory Masters 2026 event, please specify that you are part of the Hickory Golf Masters group when making your reservation.

Please note that rooms will be released at the end of February if not reserved in advance. From March 1st, preferential rates and room availability cannot be guaranteed.

Castello di Casiglio Relais

Castello-di-Casiglio-logo

Castello di Casiglio Relais ****
Via Cantù 21 – 22036 Erba (CO)
mice@hotelcastellodicasiglio.it
www.hotelcastellodicasiglio.it

Room type
Double for single use Double
Camera Superior 240 € 290 €
Junior Suite 310 € 360 €
Suite Garden - 500 €
Torre - 450 €

 

Le Stanze del Lago, Villa Seta

Le stanze del lago logo

Le Stanze del Lago - Villa Seta
via Francesco Scalini 6, Como (CO)
info@lestanzedellago.com
www.lestanzedellago.com

Room type
Price
Double room 250 €

 

Le Stanze del Lago Suites & Pool

Le stanze del lago logo

Le Stanze del Lago Suites & Pool
Via Francesco Crispi 10, Como (CO)
info@lestanzedellago.com
www.lestanzedellago.com

Room type
Price
Double room 230 €
Junior Suites 285 €
Deluxe with balcony 260 €

 


Two unforgettable days

From the first practice swings to the final prize-giving, Hickory Masters 2026 unfolded as a celebration of authentic golf, shared passion and timeless style. Browse the moments that captured the spirit of the inaugural edition at Villa d’Este.

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"The same rules apply as 100 years ago: original clubs, no replicas, everyone using the same ball and wearing a shirt and tie or bow tie. I love it."

Perry Somershgm.golf

“Il torneo riunisce un campo eccezionalmente forte, composto dai migliori specialisti dell'hickory e da grandi nomi del golf professionistico europeo.”

GolfHomegolfhome.ch

“The Hickory Masters 2026 is the first tournament in modern hickory golf that has made an effort to solicit only the world's finest players and to adhere to the rules that governed the game during the hickory era.”

Society of Hickory Golfershickorygolfers.com

"Sul Lago di Como debutta un torneo destinato a entrare nella storia."

Ticino Welcometicinowelcome.ch

"Questo è il primo torneo in assoluto in cui l'Hickory Golf viene vissuto nella sua forma più completa."

Fore! Magazine (Germany)golf-absolute.de

"Con il suo drammatico finale a Villa d'Este, il torneo ha già regalato, alla sua prima edizione, quelle storie da cui nascono le grandi tradizioni."

Fore! Magazinegolf.ch

Interested in the next Edition?

The inaugural edition has been written into history. The next chapter is already taking shape.