2014 Exclusive 200 Lot US Open Week Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/15/2014
1948 British Amateur Champion Medal - Frank Stranahan
It is often said, "the first is the sweetest". For 25 year old Frank Stranahan winning his first "Major" at the 1948 British Amateur well fit that expression. He was coming off near misses in 1947 finishing second in both the Masters and British Open. This time he closed the deal. In addition the taste of success in the 36 hole final match came against a past rival British Walker Cupper, Charlie Stowe.
Maybe even of a greater magnitude the triumph was gained as the most adverse of weather conditions played out over the trap infested Royal St.George course. The morning round was played in front of an all-time low British Amateur crowd of 15 fans. They braved temperatures in the 40's, and rain swept by a half-gale. It was reported to be the worst weather in a British Championship be it amateur or Open since 1895. Rain soaked Stranahan and Stowe went for a well deserved change of clothes after 18 all tied in their Championship match. As the afternoon finale commenced Sandwich, England home of Royal St. George received a virtual deluge of rain that met the two contestants and a crowd which had grown just into the hundreds on the first tee. Thunder and lightening troubled both players and frightened the spectators. Undaunted by the weather around him Stranahan called by the British "Demon Golfer", posted wins on five of the first six holes in the afternoon. The American ace from Toledo was able to protect this lead throughout the match closing Stowe out with a fifteen-foot birdie putt on the 32nd hole to register a 5 & 4 margin of victory.
The historic British Amateur title was Stranahan's along with the Champions medal offered here, his award of achievement as presented by the Royal and Ancient, made of solid 9k gold displays an early golfer at play encircled by the simple wording "Amateur Golf Championship". A flip of the 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" medal to its verso shows the engraving "Frank Stranahan British Amateur Champion 1948". 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 horrific golf conditions it was claimed in. Who knows maybe its future owner through personal experience, on this or a similar daunting course in adverse conditions, will realize what a supreme challenge it was to post the winning score at Royal St. George that day.
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 Exclusive June Auction will end on June 15th, 2014 at 9:00pm EST with extended bidding to follow. Get your bids in before the session ends. If your bid is not placed before 9pm, you will not have the opportunity to win the lot.
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