2013 Exclusive 200 Lot Winter Golf Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2013
1950 British Amateur Championship 9K Golf Medal - Frank Stranahan - St. Andrews
The significance of what Frank Stranahan meant to post-World War II golf in Europe is hard to quantify in an adjective. We will settle for immense. He along with Chick Evans were the only two Americans to venture to Birkdale, England for the 1946 British Amateur, an event that had been suspended by the horrors of war since 1939. Stranahan would fair well advancing to the round of 16 that year. Giving fore warning of his future success in the event, but of more importance offering assurance to the United States' top amateur and professional players that it was safe to return overseas and compete in the British Amateur and Open. The strong play of Stranny would continue as he earned the lofty accolade of "best amateur since Bobby Jones" in part to his 1948 triumph in the British Amateur at Sandwich; and second place overall finishes, as an amateur battling pros, in both the 1947 Masters and British Opens.
The long hitting Toledo, Ohio native was a favorite to win any event he entered, be it amateur or pro, on either side of the Atlantic. This was the case when he came to Scotland and St. Andrews for the 1950 British Amateur. Stranahan continued to dominate with a steamroll effort over fellow American Walker Cupper Dick Chapman 8 and 6 in the final (only the second all-U.S. final in the 56-year history of the event). In 1950, the British Amateur contested in May was still considered the first "Major" of the year. The immediate question following Stranahan's win was, "Did he see an equaling of Jones' "Grand Slam" in his future?". He humbly deflected this question; more concerned at the moment with winning the Amateur, at the sacred to all golfers, St. Andrews course. The significance of this accomplishment at the birthplace of golf, is easily apparent and it is with great honor that The Golf Auction,as our featured lot in this auction offers this unique opportunity to own Frank Stranahan's gold medal awarded to him as "The Champion Amateur Golfer of 1950". You can almost hear the Scottish brogue rolling off the tongue as this proclamation was announced.
The medal, his award of achievement, made of solid gold displays a Scottish golfer at play encircled by the simple wording "Amateur Golf Championship. The verso of the 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" medal is engraved "1950 British Champion". The bottom edge of this thick offering is stamped at ".375" which equates to nine carats of the precious metal. The metal content of this item is a scant thought however. It is of far greater value to the golf collector who cherishes the significance of the "Major" this medal was awarded for and the course, St. Andrews, which it was awarded at. Easily one of the most notable awards to appear on the hobby's auction block from the birthplace of golf.
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