Get live continuous updates, including videos and pictures, from fourth annual Summer Solstice Golf Challenge at Hickory Nut. Golfers are invited to free clinics and skills contests being held all day.
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COLUMBIA STATION, Ohio – The quest for Northeast Ohio golfers to play 100 holes from sunup to sundown was reached Thursday, despite the morning downpour that lasted over three hours.
The fourth annual Summer Solstice Golf Challenge at beautiful Hickory Nut Golf Course in Columbia Station featured six local players who won a spot in the Challenge along with the Northeast Ohio Media Group's Chris Fedor and The Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer.
The lead group of Fedor, Matthew Blum, Bob Heiss and Matt Hudak set a new record of 101 holes, eclipsing the mark of 91 from 2013. And the second group of Schmitt Boyer, Ian Anderson, Richie Brickman and Mark Svette finished 73 holes, walking off the final green nearly 16 hours after the first shot of the day in the pouring rain.
Relive all the highlights and not-so-great-lights of the day below, which includes live continuous updates, videos and pictures, as well as Tweets from the day.
9:47 p.m.: The second foursome completed its final hole, No. 73, by each scoring par on the Par-3 third hole in total darkness. They stayed on the course so much longer to reach a special goal, finishing 73 holes in honor of teammate Brickman, a 73-year-old retired letter carrier from Fairview Park.
9:14 p.m.: The lead group is in the clubhouse after finishing its 101th hole of the day. Time for reminiscing about the day, air-conditioning and a few cold drinks.
9:01 p.m.: It's official, the 100th hole has been completed at the fourth annual Summer Solstice Golf Challenge.
The scene just before the 100th hole is finished at Hickory Nut as golfers and spectators chase the last sunlight.Kristen Davis, Northeast Ohio Media Group
It happened on the par-4 10th hole. Hudak nearly chipped in from behind the green, the ball hitting the stick and rattling out before a gallery of about 15 people.
8:52 p.m.: The 99th hole was just completed. Needless to say, there was no stop at the turn. It was directly to the 10th tee for No. 100.
8:14 p.m.: The final free clinic is in the books. Hickory Nut instructor Lou Cangelosi demonstrated tips on backswing and downswing and general iron play. See a post about the clinic here, including a video.
And golfers won't want to miss recaps and videos from clinics held earlier by PGA pro/TV star Jimmy Hanlin (how to hit the ball longer), as well as LPGA pro Jamie Taylor (chipping best practices).
7:53 p.m.: The new Challenge record is official as the 92nd hole of the day is completed by Blum, Fedor, Heiss and Hudak. Overheard on the putting green:
"Our goal was 100, let's not get cocky," Heiss said after a teammate bragged about setting the contest record in its fourth year.
7:51 p.m.: The second group makes a quick pit stop at the turn after finishing its 63rd hole. These players -- Anderson, Brickman, Schmitt Boyer and Svette -- also have 10 holes on their mind as they want to get to 73 for 73-year-old Brickman.
7:48 p.m.: One milestone reached.
The lead group, from left, Matt Hudak, Bob Heiss, Chris Fedor and Matthew Blum mark the occasion of tying the record for most holes played in four Summer Solstice Golf Challenges at 91 with a group picture on the greenMark Kern, Northeast Ohio Media Group
The lead group has tied the record for most holes played in four Summer Solstice Golf Challenges at 91.
A new record has been set every year of the Challenge.
They tied the record on the par-4 fourth hole and with plenty of sunlight left it looks like this could be a tough number to beat.
7:28 p.m: The 90th hole is in the books, with a birdie to boot -- and plenty of sunlight left.
Matthew Blum attempts to land on the green on the 18th hole, the 90th hole of the day. The group just finished its fifth round, and now have only 10 more holes to go to reach their goal.Mark Kern, Northeast Ohio Media Group
The lead group walked off the 18th green for the fifth time today just before 7:30.
Heiss carded a bird on the par-5 hole.
At the turn several outburst of "Ten more holes" are heard. The record, set last year, is 91 holes.
7:07 p.m.: The final skills contest of the day was a 130-yard closest to the pin shot on the ninth hole.
See video highlights at right and read about the competition here.
6:51 p.m.: Fatigue perhaps is setting in as three of four players in the lead group come up short on their approaches on the back side.
Greens in regulation are becoming more and more rare as the sun starts descending at the Summer Solstice Golf Challenge at Hickory Nut. Pictured is Bob Heiss taking the first of three chips below the green with his foursome.Kristen Davis, Northeast Ohio Media Group
6:36 p.m.: The second group finishes its 58th hole of the day. Realizing they will run of daylight before nearing 100 holes they form a new goal -- 73.
"We figured we might try for 73 because that's my age," says Brickman, a retired letter carrier from Fairview Park.
6:19 p.m.: The lead group makes the turn but there's no stopping. The pressure is on to reach 100 holes and now they have late afternoon leagues to navigate through. Thankfully they have the Hickory Nut rangers and gracious patrons letting them play through.
"Love it. I feel like a celebrity," Hudak said.
6:14 p.m.: After hitting his tee shot on No. 9, Blum rhetorically asks is this is the third time his ball has been in the lake. Replied Fedor, "I think so. They're going to start calling it Lake Matt."
Bob Heiss tees off on the 81st hole of the day for Chris Fedor's group, the par-4 ninth.Kristen Davis, Northeast Ohio Media Group
6:11 p.m.: The chase for 100 holes for the lead group is heating up. The team of Fedor, Blum, Hudak and Heiss just completed their 80th hole. They have a little over three hours of daylight left.
6:01 p.m.: The final clinic of the day is set to begin out on the driving range. Hickory Nut instructor Lou Cangelosi will work with golfers on backswing and downswing, and general iron play.
5:46 p.m.: The scorecards are in for the fourth round for the lead group. If this was a PGA event these would be the Sunday scores. Clearly, this is nothing close to a PGA tournament.
Here are the scores from Chris Fedor's group from its fourth round of play at the Solstice Golf Challenge 2014.Kristen Davis, Northeast Ohio Media Group
At the turn on the way to hole No. 73, the players remark it's some of the best golf they have played all day. Heiss had the low round, carding an 80. Blum was next at 84, followed by Fedor (88) and Hudak (91).
5:32 p.m.: Ian Anderson, playing in Mary Schmitt Boyer's group, is starting to feel the effects of playing marathon golf. He told NEOMG reporter Robert Rozboril, "I'm going to be seeing this golf course in loop in my nightmares tonight," after playing the 15th hole.
5:21 p.m.: Richie Brickman, the 73-year-old from Fairview Park, is going strong. Nearing the 12-hour mark, the retired letter carrier is still taking full practice swings. See some shots and hear Brickman talk about his favorite lifetime memories on the golf course in the video to the right.
4:59 p.m.: Chris Fedor's group is back in the clubhouse after finishing its fourth round of the day. That's 72 holes down, and the group on average is playing a round in just under three hours. There's also some complaining a bit about being sore after playing golf for the last 11 hours.
There's certainly enough daylight left to get in another 18, which would leave the group at 90. But is there enough time left for the group to complete 100 holes?
4:55 p.m.: Mary Schmitt Boyer took some time to give an update on her group before heading off to No. 10.
4:51 p.m.: Fedor's group is on its 72nd hole. Looks like they're well on pace to break the 91-hole record.
Bob Heiss tees off on No. 18 to kick off the 72nd hole for Chris Fedor's group during the Solstice Golf Challenge 2014.Robert Rozboril, Northeast Ohio Media Group
4:31 p.m.: Playing this long in the sun can help you find the humor in things. After hitting tee shot into a bunker on 16, Fedor says, "Welcome to the beach."
3:28 p.m.: Fedor's group makes a quick pit stop in the clubhouse before making the turn. That's 63 holes for his group so far today. Asked if the group was tired yet, Fedor said, "We're getting there."
3:11 p.m.: Fedor and his group have played 60 holes, and it looks like they're not slowing down. On No. 7, Matt Hudak rips his tee shot and Bob Heiss delcares it the best drive of the day.
2:51 p.m.: It's not all good news for Mary Schmitt Boyer's group, though, as Ian Anderson rips his tee shot on No. 4 into the trees and laments, "That is horrible."
Richie Brickman tees off on No. 3 at Hickory Nut.Robert Rozboril, Northeast Ohio Media Group
2:46 p.m.: Richie Brickman, playing in Mary Schmitt Boyer's group, is playing the front 9 strong. He made par on No. 1 and birdied No. 2.
2:33 p.m.: Finally a bit of adversity for Fedor's group. Matt Hudak hits the group's first shot into the sand in 57 holes. His shot from the sand overshoots the 3rd green by about 20 feet.
2:20 p.m.: Chris Fedor's group continues its torrid pace and has lapped the other group. Though according to our reporter on the course, Robert Rozboril, Fedor's group is taking its time now that it's in the lead. Mary Schmitt Boyer let's out a, "While we're young!" to keep the group moving.
PGA pro Jimmy Hanlin on the driving range giving lessons on how to get more distance on your shot.Kristen Davis, Northeast Ohio Media Group
2:08 p.m.: PGA Pro and local TV star Jimmy Hanlin is out on the driving range conducting a free clinic on how to hit the ball farther. It's the second of three free clinics today. LPGA Pro Jamie Taylor led a chipping clinic this morning, and Hickory Nut instructor Lou Cangelosi will hold a clinic on backswing and downswing, and general iron play at 6 p.m.
See a video of Hanlin here.
1:58 p.m.: When you're trying to play 100 holes of golf in one day, there is no patience for slow groups ahead of you. When Fedor's group encounters one, there's discussion of when, not if, to pass them.
1:57 p.m.: While both groups don't mind being followed around all day, neither is shy to ask to delete a video of a bad shot. And of course, they always ask if there's video of a good shot.
1:49 p.m.: Heiss cards a birdie on the par-4 17th hole. The key shot? A gap wedge four feet from the cup.
1:38 p.m.: See pictures and a video from the longest drive competition, which took place on the 421-yard first hole. The winner was Tim Baker of Valley City, who hit the fairway 242 yards out.
1:35 p.m.: Progress report from Fedor's group: They have finished their 50th hole. Goal of reaching 100 holes by sundown is within reach.
12:58 p.m.: The green at Hickory Nut's No. 12 hole is a fickle one. One putt causes Schmitt Boyer to throw her hands up and exclaim, "Really?" while Anderson sinks a tough putt of his own which results in a round of applause.
The scorecard for Chris Fedor and Bob Heiss for holes 37 through 45.
12:41 p.m.: The lead group is almost at the halfway point of the 100-hole quest, finishing its 45th hole. "We're getting there," Hudak said. "I've got beer now." And a banana. Some highlights from the Heiss-Fedor cart: The duo combined for seven pars, with Heiss carding a 40 and Fedor a 41. The best hole was No. 6 with the Heiss birdie and Fedor par.
Mark Svette holds the remains of one of Tom Cull's solstice golf cart flags.Joe Noga, Northeast Ohio Media Group
12:19 p.m.: Another birdie for the first group. This time it's Heiss, who sank a 15-foot putt on the par-4 sixth hole.
11:52 a.m.: We have our first casualty of the day. Mark Svette walked into the clubhouse carrying the remains of one of Tom Cull's solstice golf cart flags. Tragically, it was the purple flag with the frosty mug of beer emblazoned on its side.
11:43 a.m.: Blum, playing his 37th hole -- a par 4 -- sends a perfect tee shot down the middle of the fairway. The second shot isn't as lucky for Blum, who catches a bit of the fairway with his club and sees the ball sputter a few hundred feet forward. His third shot goes a little long of the green, but isn't in bad shape. With a chance to get up and down for bogey he chips within inches of the cup and taps in for a very respectable bogey.
11:36 a.m.: According to sources in the field, Heiss has fired up his first stogie of the day at the top of his group's third 18.
11:29 a.m.: From David Cassilo: With 36 holes done, Fedor's group takes a break at the clubhouse. After a wet morning, the most important part of this break is a change of socks. They still have about three-and-a-half rounds to go.
11:26 a.m.: Check out this recap of the longest putt contest won by Tom Cull via NEOMG's Tim Bielik. (video)
11:23 a.m.: Heiss on his team's goal of playing 100 holes: "There's no quit in this team."
11:18 a.m.: Update: Fedor's group is finished with 36. Schmitt Boyer's group is on hole No. 25.
11:15 a.m.: Flight 1 is currently playing its 36th hole and appears to be well ahead of Flight 2, and they're proud of it. NEOMG reporter David Cassilo, who is embedded with the group on the fairway, says Fedor's crew is asking for updates on Mary Schmitt Boyer's group to make sure they are still ahead. #competition
10:44 a.m.: A ringtone featuring the Derek and the Dominos hit "Layla" causes some excitement among the golfers in Mary Schmitt Boyer's group. Solstice golfers were seen breaking out their air guitars and a few dance moves on hole No. 4.
Matthew Blum laments a putt that came up just short.Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer
Check out this photo gallery from Gus Chan of The Plain Dealer featuring images from the early morning (rainy) portion of today's Summer Solstice Golf event at Hickory Nut Golf Course.
10:37 a.m.: Tom Cull of Wickliffe wins the longest putt contest, sinking the 30-footer during the first round. His prize? A gift bag, including four free passes for 18 holes at Hickory Nut.
10:30 a.m.: Solstice Golf "Class of 2012" Dorothy Kasper of Cleveland Heights is here to play 36 holes with some of the other veterans. "We made it through 72 holes with Bud Shaw and Dennis Manoloff," Kasper said. "It was 95 degrees that day. We were dying!"
10:21 a.m.: It was only a matter of time before the group started asking Mary Schmitt Boyer about the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James' possible return. Meanwhile, Mary spends a good part of her round checking her iPhone to make sure there isn't any breaking news about the team hiring a new coach.
"This is how you get through 100 holes of golf before sundown," Heiss says.David Cassilo, Northeast Ohio Media Group
10:17 a.m.: NEOMG reporter Tim Bielik says there are eight contestants lined up for the longest putt contest about to get underway on the practice green.
10:14 a.m.: A light rain starts up again, but that does not deter the golfers. Some add an extra layer of clothing and continue on towards 100 holes. Though the round of golf isn't ruined, other things haven't been so lucky. Referencing her hair, Mary Schmitt Boyer says: "This hat is staying on ALL day."
10:09 a.m.: Check out photos and video from this morning's free chipping clinic with LPGA pro Jamie Taylor of the Cleveland Metroparks.
10:01 a.m.: As the weather improves and the sun fights to peek through the clouds, Fedor laments via Twitter that his scores are getting worse. Meanwhile, Mary Schmitt Boyer is proud of her accomplishments for the day already. She brags in a Tweet: "18 holes in #solsticegolf. What have YOU done so far today?"
9:47 a.m.: Solstice Golf veterans Mark Nekic of Willoughby and Tom Cull of Wickliffe arrive at the Hickory Nut clubhouse. Nekic and Cull were part of the first Solstice Golf event four years ago. "We're the East Side contingent," Nekic says. The duo is back to play 36 holes today. "Half a solstice," Cull said.
On a water-filled day like this, the shark might feel more at home than the golfers.David Cassilo, Northeast Ohio Media Group
9:45 a.m.: The rain gear is coming off as Flight Two arrives at the clubhouse after completing their first 18 holes. Brickman: "It's getting a little better out there."
9:22 a.m.: Workers here in the Hickory Nut clubhouse just got a phone call from some golfers in Beachwood who were wondering if the #solsticegolf event was still going on. The answer: A resounding YES! Come on out for our next scheduled public event: a free longest putt contest at 10 a.m. on the practice green!
Blum, Hudak, Heiss and Fedor after completing 20 holes of #solsticegolf.David Cassilo, Northeast Ohio Media Group
9:20 a.m.: Even though these golfers have already played 20 holes, the day is still in its infancy. When asked what stands out most so far from this experience, the answer was unanimous from the first flight -- wet socks.
Northeast Ohio Media Group reporter David Cassilo has arrived at Hickory Nut and is with both groups on the course. Updates from David will appear above.
9:16 a.m.: The first flight has completed 20 holes.
9:04 a.m.: The chipping clinic with LPGA pro Jamie Taylor is wrapping up. Next public event is the free longest putt contest at 10 a.m.
8:43 a.m.: Realizing that it's the number of holes played, not score that matters, Fedor unofficially reinstated.
8:41 a.m.: Fedor fires a 41-44--85 on the first 18, but forgot to sign his card at the clubhouse. Unofficially disqualified.
Check out the score cards for Flight 1 after 18 holes of the 2014 Summer Solstice Golf Challenge.Joe Noga, Northeast Ohio Media Group
8:39 a.m.: The first flight stops in the clubhouse to fuel up. Heiss grabs three trail mix bars and two Motrin. "Emphasis on the two Motrin," he says. Fedor munches on a sandwich and Blum grabs a bag of Cheerios.
8:26 a.m.: The first birdie of the day is in! Heiss sinks a 15-foot putt on the par-4, 275 yard 17th hole.
8:24 a.m.: Chipping clinic begins after rain lets up. LPGA pro Jamie Taylor is working with Jim Kiss of Middleburg Heights and Mitch Goldberg of Sagamore Hills.
Morning chipping clinic underway with LPGA pro Jamie Taylor.Kristen Davis, Northeast Ohio Media Group
8:21 a.m.: With the rain out of the picture, maintenance workers are making plans to cut the greens around 10:30 a.m.
8:15 a.m.: "Well, it's stopped raining completely," says Hickory Nut pro shop worker Dave Adamany. A former Regional Sewer District employee, Adamany started in the cart garage at Hickory Nut five years ago after he retired. "It's a great place to retire to," Adamany said.
7:44 a.m.: Mitch Goldberg, 70, is among the first to arrive for the chipping clinic. "I came all the way from Sagamore Hills to work on my short game," Goldberg says.
7:19 a.m.: When asked what was the best shot of the first nine, Fedor responds that he knocked one stiff within 8 feet on hole No. 3.
7:15 a.m.: Blum arrives in the clubhouse at the first turn: "We've already set a record in club tossing." According to Blum, the toss was not intentional. "Wet grips and a hard swing," he says.
7:14 a.m.: LPGA pro Jamie Taylor arrives under a golf umbrella. Taylor works as the head pro at Seneca Golf Course in Broadview Heights and will conduct a chipping clinic at 8 a.m.
7:11 a.m.: Fedor and Heiss take aim at a media golf cart on hole No. 9. Both tee shots land within a few feet of intrepid (albeit soaking wet) reporter Nate Cline.
7:06 a.m.: The first flight of players has completed eight holes.
6:46 a.m.: Blum comes up a little short on his first birdie attempt of the day.
6:17 a.m.: Cleveland federal law enforcement agent Bob Heiss says it's not dry enough and is interruped by Chris Fedor commenting, "not so good" watching the flight of his shot.
6:06 a.m.: Mark Svette tells 73-year-old player Richie Brickman his golf bag is so big it should have its own zip code.
5:59 a.m.: Plain Dealer Cavaliers reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer says she can't even see the golf balls in the rain.
5:57 a.m.: Play is underway -- finally. Matthew Blum, 35, of Solon hits the first tee shot.
5:53 a.m.: Players depart for the first tee.
Bob Heiss and his shark friend wait for the rain to subside near the entrance at Hickory Nut Golf Course in Columbia Station.Kristen Davis, Northeast Ohio Media Group
5:44 a.m.: Players debate if they should get going or wait for the tail end of the radar to pass. The goal of completing 100 holes, which seems much more daunting considering the weather, wins out.
5:39 a.m.: It's starting to get light but the rain is relentless. Players decide to load carts, complete with four flags: a smiley face, a finish flag (the finish line is, what, 16 hours away), a frosty beer mug and a parrot flag proclaiming "It's 5 o'clock somewhere."
From left, Matthew Blum, Matt Hudak and Mark Svette wait for the sun to arrive and rain to depart inside Hickory Nut's clubhouse.Kristen Davis, Northeast Ohio Media Group
5:11 a.m.: Players gather in the dry and lit clubhouse. Players power up on coffee and munchies, put on their rain gear, mingle and wait for first light.
5:07 a.m.: All eight players have arrived. It's pitch black but everyone sees the rain still coming down.
4:48 a.m.: The first player has arrived at Hickory Nut. It's Mark Svette, 40, of Chagrin Falls, a firefighter in Shaker Heights. The rain beat Svette. It has been coming down steadily since alarm clocks started going off around 3:30 a.m.
Updates above by Nathaniel Cline of the Northeast Ohio Media Group.
Here is info on the free clinics and skills contests:
No purchase at the course is required and no preregistration is needed. First place in each contest wins a gift bag, including four free golf passes to Hickory Nut. Look for coverage from the contests and clinics, one of which is being conducted by PGA pro and local TV star Jimmy Hanlin, in this post.
The schedule (click here for more details): 8 a.m., chipping clinic; 10 a.m., longest putt contest; noon, longest drive contest; 2 p.m., clinic on how to hit the ball longer; 4 p.m., closest to the pin contest; and 6 p.m., clinic on backswing and downswing/general iron play.
If you're at the course and on Twitter, we invite you to Tweet using #solsticegolf
11:58 a.m.: Players are starting to gather for the longest drive competition, which will take place on the 421-yard, first hole.