To Mr. Pietro Paolo Rampino, SCHG new member from Italy and player of the 2nd China Hickory Open on November 11-12, 2025, playing hickory means enjoying the essence of golf.
Pietro Paolo Rampino
Rampino learned hickory golf 10 years ago from his teacher, who is none other than Paolo Quirici, Swiss professinoal and Champion of the Inaugural China Hickory Open held on November 11-12, 2024 at the Hidden Grace Golf Club in Shenzhen.
Quirici with Zhang Enhui, 11-year-old player at Awards Ceremony
Since then the hickory team that they have formed has been competing in leading hickory tournaments and won three times in the World Hickory Open championship in Scotland, once in the the German Johnny Walker hickory tournament where Rampino was second place, and many times wthe Swiss Hickory Championship.
Rampano with Quirici and Europe Ryder Captain Mr. Claus Mühlfeit
Most important of all, Rampino said, together with Quirici, his team won the 2018 Lionel Freedman Hickory Trophy against the USA Team. Both team had were organized by professoinals and amateurs.
The Europe Hickory Team
SCHG president Wayne Xing met with the late Mr. Freedman (in red) at his home in 2016
Rampino started playing hickory at the invitation of Quirici in 2016 and immediately became passionate about the spirit of the game and discovered the true essence of golf. To him, the true essence of golf meant ”playing with pleasant people with whom I share the same passion. A passion that leads me to cross the Alps and oceans just to enjoy golf with the spirit of 100 years ago,” he said. ”Playing hickory means measuring yourself with your true ability supported only by your technique and your mind and not by modern equipment. Every time I participate in a hickory tournament, I meet pleasant people with whom I share not only the round but also life experiences and different cultures.”
Rampino with Italian pro Mr. Costantino Rocca, who beat Tiger Wood at the 1997 Ryder Cup competition in Spain.
Rampino’s wife, Maria Rosa Vergani, has also registered to play at the 2nd China Hickory Open on November 11-12,2025 at Mission Hills Golf Club in Hainan Island.
Maria Rosa Vergani
The 2nd China Hickory Open is now open for registration and space is limited up to 80 players on a first-come first-serve basis. Intgerantional players from most countries are eligible to travel to the Hainan Island visa-free for up to 30 days.
If interested to participate, you can easily register online at:
https://en.cnhickorygolfers.com/CHOC2025.html ！
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Ms. Emily Zhou at info@cnhickorygolfers.com.
