Published: July 11, 2008 11:39 pm         

BNI to honor Larry Hickman

Late golfer’s son looking forward to debut in this year’s tournament

Larry Andrew Hickman always feels close to his father when he plays golf.

But that link will be stronger than ever today when Hickman tees off in the 28th annual BNI Memorial Tournament, which starts today at Grandview Country Club and Pipestem State Resort.

This year’s BNI is dedicated to his father, Larry Thomas Hickman, who died in a mining accident in 1993 at the age of 43.

“The biggest connection I had with my father was through sports, and it hits me in the heart every time I play,” the younger Hickman said. “It’s a very emotional thing.”

He’ll make his debut in the BNI, a tournament both his father and uncle had much success in over the years.

Jerry Hickman won championships in 1989, 1992 and 1995. He continues to play and will tee off at 10:04 a.m. today at Pipestem.

Larry Thomas, Jerry’s younger brother, finished second in 1986, losing in a playoff to Bob “Wheel” Thomas.

He took sixth place in 1992, his last BNI.

“I was 17 when he died,” Larry Andrew remembers. “Dad was just coming into his own. He had won the club championship at Grandview and had been in a playoff at the BNI.

“It would have been nice to see him progress a little more, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.”

Larry Andrew grew up around golf. He held a membership at Grandview and when his father would buy new clubs, he’d pass the older ones down to him.

“Dad led by example when it came to golf,” he said. “He definitely got me started in the game and taught me every thing I know fundamentally about it.”

Nothing inspires a young golfer like hearing his father brag about him.

“The biggest thing he did for me was my confidence,” Hickman said. “If we were around his friends, he’d tell me to show them my swing.

“I’d act like I was swinging my club and he acted so proud! I thought I had the best swing in the world.”

But until now, Hickman never got a chance to play in the BNI. As a teenager he didn’t think his game was good enough, and left the state in 1997 for a life in the military.

He spent the following 10 1/2 years in the Marine Corps. He now works in non-destructive inspection of aircraft and trains and lives in Greenville, S.C.

The father of two, the 32-year-old Hickman has spent the last couple of months getting his game up to par.

“I have a single-digit handicap,” he said. “It ebbs and flows as far as getting to play. Hopefully I can get out there and break 90 a couple of times.”

He calls it a “true honor” to be able to celebrate his father’s life in the BNI.

“It means a hell of a lot to me,” Hickman said. “I always keep a part of him with me, whether it’s one of his clubs in my bag or a towel.

“A few years ago I broke down and bought my own set of clubs, but I kept his putter, and I’ll be using it in the tournament.”

Hickman will tee off at 9:56 this morning at Pipestem. His foursome also includes his stepfather Joel Shumate, Bernard Lindsey and John Ashby.

The BNI continues Sunday, also at Grandview and Pipestem, before concluding Monday at The Resort at Glade Springs.

— E-mail:

dstillwell@register-herald.com