2014 Exclusive British Open Week Auction Featuring Stranahan Medals
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/20/2014
1948 Royal Canadian Golf Association Amateur Championship Gold Medal - Frank Stranahan
In 1948, Frank Stranahan showed his true dominance of golf's amateur game holding the amateur title in Britain, Mexico and Canada. His title in Canada was the successful defense of his Canadian Amateur Championship won in 1947. In '48, Stranahan even improved on his previous years performance with a golf game that featured mechanical precision of tee shots leading to perfect positioning and a deadly putting stroke. This combination led to a route in the 36 hole final of 9 and 7 over hometown Hamilton boy Joe Stoddard. The Canadian remarked after the route at the hands of Stranahan, "How can you beat anyone playing better than perfect?". His award from the R.C.G.A. as repeat Canadian Amateur champ is proudly offered here with raised relief on front of gold medal depicting a crown, maple leaf and laurels with script Royal Canadian Golf Association
Verso of prize is engraved:
Royal Canadian
Golf Association
Amateur Championship
Frank Stranahan
1948
On this side of the 1 1/4" diameter scalloped edged award you will find the precious gold content stamping as well.
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 travelling 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.
Click above for larger image.