1903 Scotland vs England Contestant Medal - G. Coburn

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/10/2014

1903 Scotland vs England Contestant Medal - G. Coburn

The front of the medal reads Professional Golfers Association and surrounds a detailed etching of Scottish thistle. This turn-of-the-century contestant pin has a diameter of 1 1/8". It has the inscription Scotland V England G Coburn 1903 on the back. Coburn was a prominent Professional Golfer at the turn of the 20th century. Coburn's career spanned from the late 1800’s through the early part of the 20th century. He was a course designer as well as a prominent player. Starting his career in Scotland, he would eventually move to New York and immerse himself with numerous golf clubs around the greater New York area. Coburn’s affiliations include St. Andrews, Royal St. Troon, Portmarnock, County Kildare, and Royal Dublin. Coburn came to the United States around 1912. Coburn participated in a number of British Opens, placing 26th and 16th respectively. He made the Final Four of the British Match Play Championship in 1903 along with Ted Ray, J.H. Taylor and James Braid, with Braid being the eventual winner. Coburn also participated in a series of matches pitting Scotland versus England.

According to a New York Times article from May 19, 1912, Coburn, representing Scotland in 1903, 1904, 1905 and 1907, won all of his matches. Coburn is listed as the Irish Golf Champion 4 times and the Scottish Champion once. He also defeated Golf Hall of Famer Harold Hilton (1 US amateur, 3 British amateurs and 2 British Opens) in numerous matches. This medal is from Coburn’s victory in the 1903 competition. This was a battle for supremacy at the site of the games origin. When these pins, which seldom surface, have appeared at auction they have been prized lots.

In order to bid in extended bidding you must place a bid on the lot before 9pm on auction closing day. The Golf Auction's Spring Auction will end in two sessions on April 10th and April 13th, 2014. Session 1 (Lots 1-400) will end on April 10th, 2014 at 9:00pm EST with extended bidding to follow. Session 2 (Lots 401+) will end on April 13th, 2014 at 9:00pm EST with extended bidding to follow. Get your bids in before the session ends.