There’s Always This Year: As the 2023 DHi is upon us, this is the mentality the competitors have going into the tournament

It’s that time of the year again. Golf’s fifth major has arrived!

Today, a golf tradition unlike any other will commence. The 26th installment of the DHi is being played, and Bill and Jace Hartis are prepared to defend their crown.

The DHi (Doug Hartis Invitational) began back in 1998 by a Chickasha stalwart, Doug Hartis. The namesake of golf’s fifth major wanted an excuse to mix his passion of golf with a day of heavy drinking, and he got his sons involved (of course, they were too young at the time to be part of the drinking part of the tournament, but that did not stop them from having a good time with their dad).

Doug, Jace, Chance and Bill went to the golf course for Doug’s birthday one year and it stemmed from there. They enjoyed playing scramble ball so much, and they definitely enjoyed getting to create a father-sons tradition that has lasted as long as it has.

Now there are over 10 teams involved in the tournament, and it has turned into a multi-day event.

“The tradition started at the Chickasha Golf and Country Club with the four of us and now has upwards of 15 to 20 people involved,” Chance said. “It’s a delight every year for us  and over the years spread out across Oklahoma and has now made WinStar World Casino its home for the past five years. The group always starts the group text months in advance and the gamesmanship and camaraderie starts.”

It is a competition after all, and all the trash talking and jabbing ensues for months leading up to the event.

The DHi is something that started as a father and three sons wanting to get out and have some fun and has turned into a full-blown tournament with more family and friends involved. It is something a lot of people look forward to, and now that the tournament is here, everyone has the chance to let their game speak for themselves.

“As we kept going with it, we started inviting our friends,” Jace said. “We go to Winstar every year. We get a room, go to a steakhouse, gamble, have a few drinks and then get up and golf the next day. The course doesn’t necessarily like it, but it is what it is. More and more people started joining each year.”

It is to the point where Doug’s grandchildren are involved in the tournament, which means his kids will get to continue the tradition with their kids long after he is unable to participate anymore.

After all, that is what this tournament is all about.

“I think [why it’s lasted as long as it has has] a lot to do with the amount of people we have in it now,” Bill said. “It’s not just something we invite anybody to. Once you get a partner, that’s who you are stuck with. It’s not just something that whoever can come play in. It’s been 25 years and the fact that we now plan a whole trip around it.”

The DHi is not only golf’s fifth major, but it is a major where only the elite of the elite in terms of family and friends get to compete. Only the people who are closest to Doug, Jace, Chance and Bill get to be involved in the tournament, despite there being a lot of requests to expand the field.

And for Chance in particular, the event means even more to him because of who his partner is. He has been partnered up with his dad since the event’s inception, and that is the highlight of the entire tournament for him.

“Having my dad as my partner is my favorite part of the event,” Chance said. “We are both highly competitive individuals, and being able to go out with him year after year and fight for the title has brought out the best and the worst in us as competitors.

“Winning has been scarce for us lately, but we continue to make strides for improvement, and my dad being my partner drives me to achieve on a higher and higher scale until we raise the trophy again.”

The DHi means a lot to Bill and Jace too. They both love to compete, and while their team is always going to be going for that crown (in which they are defending this year), every year they finish ahead of Chance and their father means that much more.

“My dad is a big sports nut,” Bill said. “He loves all sports. All of us grew up playing sports at different levels too. Something all of us have in common is our love of sports. The tournament is something that keeps us close. I think that as a family we enjoy sports quite a bit. It’s a good outlet for us.”

Being able to compete in a sport they all love is something they do not take for granted, as every year they are grateful they get to take part in another Doug Hartis Invitational.

Plus, in the 2023 installment of the tournament, there is a lot riding on it, especially for the defending champs.

“There was a little dynasty by Blake and Zach who were four-time repeat champions before last year,” Jace said. “They are the biggest rivals of me and my brother Bill. We went 7-under on the final seven holes to finish at even par and take them off their perch. They are excited to get back out there and try to take back their crown. Dad wants to win one final one and go out in a blaze of glory too. Plus my oldest son who is 20 is the youngest competitor.”

Good luck to all the teams involved in the Doug Hartis Invitational. And may the best scramblers win the pinnacle of golf majors!