2014 Spring Golf Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/10/2014
1953 British Open-Frank Stranahan's First Amateur Silver Medal
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 1953 at Carnoustie by Frank Stranahan who would finish second overall that year in the Brit trailing only Ben Hogan (whose victory gave him the unprecedented three straight Major wins of Masters, U.S. and British Opens). That Stranahan, as an amateur, could go shot for shot against the top pro's of the day be it Locke, Mangrum or Hogan had already been established. What made this performance even more outstanding was that it occurred at Carnoustie one of the most feared courses in the world with Hogan at the pinnacle of his career as his foe. But that is exactly what Stranahan did posting a two under first round 70 which placed him in the lead on a day that saw the Northland home of golf well defended to low scores with wild-sea winds, sleat and rain.
After a second round 74, Stranahan was tied with Hogan two back. When he eagled the 18th hole to finish his third round, Stranny was in the hunt for the Championship. Out on the course before Hogan, for the final round, the long hitting Stranahan fired an exceptional 69 to equal the competative course record at Carnoustie. For two hours Stranahan, tied with Dai Rees, would sit on the final round lead of The Open Championship. It was however to be Hogan's finest hour that July 10th of 1953 the day which saw Ben become a "Grand Slam Winner". He eclipsed the course record with a 68 to best second place finisher Stranahan 282-286. The 286 score by Stranahan remains to this day the best score ever posted by an amateur at Carnoustie in British Open play. Carnoustie has such a toll on amateur players that Stranahan in 1953 was the only amateur to survive the "cut". Stranahan joined Ben Hogan for the Champions presentaion 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", "1953". A flip of the medallion to it's verso side reveals the engraving "Winner","Frank 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 Hogan, at Carnoustie 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. A portion of the Frank Stranahan collection proceeds will be donated to The First Tee of Lake Erie.
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.
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