1917 American Red Cross Patriotic Open Tournament Winner's Medal Won by Jock Hutchison - US Open Supplement?

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1917 American Red Cross Patriotic Open Tournament Winner's Medal Won by Jock Hutchison - US Open Supplement?

Before you is the victor's medal for the 1917 US Open supplement tournament presented to champion Jock Hutchison! Paralleling the Hale America tournaments during World War II, there were two winner's medals presented for the USGA-American Red Cross tournament titled the Patriotic Open in place of the US Open to aid war relief. The USGA's medal awarded to Hutchison commanded $16,272 in our 2021 February Auction, with the American Red Cross winner's medal in this lot stamped "Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling" on the rim.

U.S. Open Championship was put on hold in 1917 and 1918 with efforts and attention redirected to World War I duties. The United States Golf Association would hold a substitute tournament for those three years under the name 'American Red Cross Patriotic Open' for those golfers not tied up with other obligations. The Whitemarsh Valley CC hosted three day 72-hole tournament generated funds for the Red Cross and due to budget constraints, did not offer prize money. Thought was that many of the leading professionals would not be intrigued by the tournament without a purse, but those naysayers were quickly proven wrong. The strong field including the likes of Walter Hagen, Jim Barnes and Jock Hutchison leading the pack. The first of three consecutive USGA American Red Cross Patriotic Open tournament saw strong winds in the beginning and dying down that Friday, allowing Hutchison's rounds of 71 and 72 to capture the title by a large margin of 7 and a total of 292. Among the 100 contestants Jock Hutchison captured the title at Whitemarsh, the chosen course by the golf professionals. Champion Jock Hutchison received this prized winner's medal bearing a bright red Red Cross enameled cross. Reverse hand-engraving on this 1917 Red Cross Patriotic Open winner's medal reads: 'Jock Hutchison - Won 6-23-1917 - White Marsh Country Club Penn. Pres. by the Natl. Red Cross of America.' 1 5/16" in diameter.

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