2013 Exclusive 200 Lot Winter Golf Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2013
1946 Glen Garden C.C. Ft. Worth Invit. Tourn.-Low Amateur Trophy-Byron's Proposed Last PGA Event
Byron Nelson posted a record setting 11 straight PGA wins in 1945, and followed it up with six more wins as the season neared a close in 1946. He decided that it was time to hang up the clubs and retire to farming his Texas ranch. He would make the October '46 Forth Worth Invitational his last Tour event. The tournament was played at Glen Garden Country Club, the course where he and Ben Hogan grew up, as caddies, Nelson for sure, in his mind, planned to end his illustrious career with one final triumph on his home course among friends. Enter his old pupil from Inverness Country Club in Toledo, Frank Stranahan. All the 24 year old amateur, Stranahan, did was go out and fire a pair of five under 66's on the first two days coasting from there to a four day total 14-under-par 270 and a two stroke victory over not only all the amateurs but also defeating Nelson and all of his fellow pros which included Demaret, Keiser, Runyan, Mangrum and Hogan. The prize money Stranahan would have received for the Championship was $2,000. In protecting his amateur status Stranny opted for the trophy we offer in this auction lot. The front 3"x2 1/2"gold plate reads: "Glen Garden C.C. - Ft. Worth Invitation - Tournament - 1946 - Low Amateur". Inscription on the verso reads: "Frank Stranahan - Winner - Ft. Worth - Invitation Tournament - 1946 - Score 270". The trophy, which proclaims the seldom seen overall triumph of an amateur in a PGA tour event,is 25" tall, has a base diameter of 7", and where the golf figurine should reside is 6" diameter(*over the years this original figurine has come free from the statue and will come to our winning bidder as a seperate piece from the trophy. A solder job by its new owner will return this trophy to its original design). A significant moment in the early career of Frank Stranahan, and another affirmation that he deserved to be mentioned with the names of the premier golfers of the 1940's and 50's regardless if they teed it up for profit or the love of the game. A portion of the Frank Stranahan collection proceeds will be donated to The First Tee of Lake Erie.
In order to bid in extended bidding you must place a bid on the lot before 9pm on auction closing day.
Click above for larger image.