2014 Exclusive British Open Week Auction Featuring Stranahan Medals
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/20/2014
1948 Houston C.C. Invitational Medalist-Ornate Silver Oyster Candy Dish - Frank Stranahan
Houston C.C. is know as the birthplace of Houston Golf, tracing its roots to 1908. In 1948 they hosted the 30th annual Houston Amateur Invitational with its qualifying round contested on February 18 that year. Top amateur player of the day, and defending champ at the Houston Am., Frank Stranahan, kept his hot play up scoring a two-under par 69 to claim medalist honors. In recognition of his triumph Stranahan received this ornate silver oyster candy dish which measures 10" x 9 1/2" x 2 18". The extremely detailed prize features an etched flaming dragon design on the face of the dish. The reverse features etched in the metal the strike marks of the silver house, the #21, and the reason why this award was presented "Medalist Frank Stranahan Houston Invitational". A portion of the Frank Stranahan collection proceeds will be donated to The First Tee of Lake Erie.
For nearly 20 years Frank Stranahan dominated the landscapes of golf, weightlifting, women, and even the heads of the Masters Tournament. Winning over 70 amateur tournaments wasn’t enough for this ‘Toledo Strongman’; on regular basis he would compete against and beat the day’s professionals including Hogan, Nelson and Snead. As a finalist in over a dozen national championships he won an astounding seven! Frankie was runner-up in five other major championships, including the British Amateur, the Masters Tournament, The Open Championship, and the U.S. Amateur. He won two major championships in the 1948 and 1950 British Amateurs. Throw in 3 Walker Cup Team Victories and this man was untouchable, the greatest amateur anyone had seen since Bobby Jones made his way around the fairways. This world traveling playboy and son of the founder of Champion Sparkplugs competed in over 200 tournaments across multiple continents, leaving his mark wherever he went.
The Golf Auction's Exclusive July Auction will end on July 20th, 2014 at 7:00pm EST with extended bidding to follow.
Please note: The British Open Week Auction Extended Bidding rules have changed. In this auction, extended bidding will continue after 7:00pm EST on July 20th until no items have received a bid within a 15 minute time period. All lots are free to be bid on until extended bidding has ended.
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