Frank Stranahan '50 British Open Low Amateur Medal-2nd Ever Awarded Silver Medal

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/20/2014

1950 British Open Low Amateur Medal - Frank Stranahan

The ultimate golf keepsake an amateur golfer can be awarded is offered here, a Champions First Amateur Silver Medal from The Open Championship. Many of golf's greats over the past 65 years have embarked on owning this medal since first awarded in 1949, many piling up unparalleled numbers in Hall of Fame careers, but not having the Silver Medal as presented by the Royal and Ancient. This exceptional piece rises to even higher levels when it is realized that it was won in dramatic fashion in 1950 at Troon by Frank Stranahan who would fire a tournament tying low round of 66 on Sunday. His score that day bettering the amateur course record by an amazing four strokes. What made this performance even more outstanding was that it occurred over the humpy Troon fairways one of the most feared courses in the world. Stranahan joined '50 Open Champion Bobby Locke on the podium for the Champions presentation receiving at that ceremony the 1 3/4 diameter circular medal which is offered in this lot.

Engraving is observed on both sides of this spectacular treasure which includes the pronouncements "Open Golf Championship", "First Amateur", "1950". A flip of the medallion to it's verso side reveals the engraving "Winner","Frank R. Stranahan", "July". This side also contains the etched markings designating the Sterling content of this Champions award. An award of this magnitude rarely, if ever, becomes available to collectors. When the winning bidder holds this medal in their hand they will know it was earned in battle with Locke and the elements, at Troon in Scotland-the birth country of the game, in the oldest Championship the game knows. At this point a smile will come upon their face, knowing whatever price was paid, it was a bargain to own this treasure.

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.