2014 Exclusive 200 Lot US Open Week Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/15/2014
Frank Stranahan's 1947 US Open 13th Place Golf Medal
As a golfer playing the game at the highest level winning the U.S. Open means you can make the claim that you won "A Major", it also means that if you are a professional player you will be receiving a check well over a million dollars. On the other hand the amateur golfer plays only in quest of honor and prestige in the golf world. This same compensation for achievement deviation was in play between professionals and amateurs at the 1947 United States Open which paid prize money that year to the top 31 finishers. If an amateur were to place among this esteemed grouping instead of prize money they received a gold medal. With the top 20 finishers, be they pro or amateur, invited back to compete in next years Open free from qualifying. In '47 the U.S. Open was contested at the St. Louis Country Club which at the time played to a par 71 over 6,532 yards, one of the shortest courses ever played in Open competition. It also featured an unusual five par three holes. In this challenge of precision golf shot making, Frank Stranahan would post scores of 73,74,72,72-291 good for a tie for 13th place overall.
As a simon-pure competitor the United States Golf Association awarded him the medal offered in this lot instead of a cash prize. The front of the scalloped edge metal displays the familar logo of the U.S.G.A. flipping to the reverse side one finds the following engraving:
1947 Open Championship
St. Louis Country Club
Clayton, Mo.
Tied For 13th Place
Frank R.Stranahan
Encircling the verso engraving is a raised laurel of achievement which lends a classic appearance to this 1 1/2" diameter stunning medal which hangs from a decorative red, white and blue ribbon which brings the overall size of the award to 4".
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.
Click above for larger image.