HIGHLANDS RANCH — Fifty-one players teed it up at The Links Golf Course on Friday, August 21, for the 2026 CGA Women’s Hickory Tournament. Created to give higher-handicap women, including those newer to competitive golf, an opportunity to experience tournament golf in a fun and welcoming environment, the Hickory is open to players with Handicap Indexes ranging from 18.0 to 36.0.
The tournament features 18 holes of individual stroke play, with competitors pre-flighted by Playing Handicap and prizes awarded for both gross and net play. Playing to a par 62 at 3,455 yards, The Links provided a fitting setting for the field, offering an enjoyable layout while still bringing plenty of competition to the day.
The setup proved to be a hit with the players, including eventual Overall Low Gross champion Lucille Moreno-Peacock.
“Oh my gosh, it was absolutely fantastic. I loved it,” said Moreno-Peacock. “It helped my short game. That’s what I really liked about it.”
The Overall Champions
Lucille Moreno-Peacock was crowned the Overall Low Gross champion after carding a 78 (+16).
On the net side, Laura Laux claimed the Overall Low Net title with a net 60 (-2).
Closest-to-the-Hole Highlights
The scorecards weren’t the only place where players were competing for bragging rights. Two closest-to-the-hole contests gave the field another opportunity to put their accuracy to the test on a pair of The Links’ par 3s.
Victoria Ponce took closest-to-the-hole honors on the 119-yard second hole, while Kim Vickery earned the prize on No. 14, a 106-yard par 3.
Flight Winners
Beyond the two overall champions, players competed for gross and net honors across three flights.
In gross play, Talia Hofacker topped the First Flight with a 78 (+16), while Kim Buck matched that score to take the Second Flight title. Debbie Dix earned the Third Flight gross victory with an 84 (+22).
On the net side, Holli Doyle finished atop the First Flight with a net 64 (+2). Susan Smith claimed the Second Flight at an even-par net 62, while Marcia Hall fired a net 60 (-2) to take the Third Flight.
While the overall and flight winners earned top honors, the prizes extended deeper into the field. The top four gross and net finishers in the First and Second Flights earned merchandise credit in The Links Golf Shop. With 18 players making up the Third Flight, gross prizes extended through fifth place, with net prizes awarded through fourth.
But while there was plenty of competition on the course, that’s only part of what keeps players coming back to the Hickory.
“Absolutely. That’s why I do it — to socialize more than compete,” said Lucille Moreno-Peacock when asked about the balance between competition and camaraderie. “I love all my friends, and everybody that plays for the CGA is fun.”
More Than the Score
For many players, the Hickory is as much about the experience as it is about the scorecard. With competition across every flight, the day was filled with plenty of laughs, smiles and good golf. The 3,455-yard setup at The Links made for a fun day on the course, with the energy staying high from the 8 a.m. shotgun through the final putts.
“I’m happy to share it with all my friends. It means a lot,” said Lucille Moreno-Peacock. “I love the CGA, so I’ll continue doing it until I can’t do it any longer.”
As one of the CGA’s most welcoming championship opportunities, the Hickory gives women the chance to compete while enjoying the game alongside one another. And with many players already talking about coming back next year, it’s safe to say the good vibes will carry into 2027.
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