1930 Walter Hagen & Joe Kirkwood Kwansai Golf Union at Takarazuka Golf Links Japan Trophy
Furthering the game of golf in the Japan market in 1930, Joe Kirkwood Sr. and Walter Hagen would star in a series of exhibitions on their overseas excursion. The May 27th duel Hagen/Kirkwood vs. Miyamoto/Shizumi at Takarazuka Golf Links concluded with the rather unsurprising result and this highly impressive winner's trophy awarded to Joe Kirkwood as engraved below. Hagen and Kirkwood Sr. were guests of the Japanese Golf Association (JGA) which was founded by seven golf clubs just six years prior in 1924. The series of exhibitions included two other notable performances, both four days later on May 31 and another on June 8th. The latter would be a private exhibition for the guest of honor Emperor Hirohito of Japan at the links of the Shinjuku Imperial gardens. As a token of appreciation, Hagen presented the emperor with a set of golf clubs in which he handed to captain of the Tokio Golf Club Viscount Sohma. Hirohito took up the game in 1922 when the Prince of Wales visited his country and played multiple rounds with him. Kirkwood and Hagen was a pairing of good friends that had traveled different paths in golf. Contrasting beginnings, Kirkwood had natural talent as a golfer, blessed with studying and developing his game. Hagen, on the other hand, worked hard at his craft and finished his career with the most major championships golf had ever seen in 11.
The middle exhibition took place on May 31st. Continuing to further the maturing sport, the Japanese imperial princes were joined by the largest gallery in the history of Japanese golf in the first match that pinned Hagen/Kirkwood vs Miyamoto/Yasuda on May 31 at Tokio Golf Club. Rather unsurprisingly the 'American golf stars', as Walter Hagen and Joe Kirkwood were referred to, won 8 and 2 up on the 18th hole. Walter Hagen would win the 1922 Open Championship at Royal St. George's Golf Club less than a month later on Friday, June 23rd.
Over seven lines of legible hand engraving, you will observe: Kwansai Golf Union - Prize - Hagen, Kirkwood vs. Miyamoto, Shizumi - at Takarazuka Golf Links, Japan - 27th May 1930 - Won by - Joe Kirkwood.' Flaring out on both the top and bottom, a stripe of intricate design in relief and two small handles goes through the center. Weighing in at 5 lbs. 6 oz., this heavy trophy is composed of primarily copper, zinc mixture with the breakdown detailed in a photo of the thermo scientific handheld precious metal analyzer. Joe Kirkwood Sr's trophy offered here for the first time, from the Kirkwood Family Collection, represents the first Kirkwood/Hagen exhibition of their significant trip to Japan in 1930. 6" x 6" x 10 3/4"
Kirkwood Family Collection
The same name and golf DNA, Joe Kirkwood Sr and Jr made history when both names were found above the cut like at the 1948 US Open. The Australian father and son found success no matter what they were doing, so that should come as no surprise. Born in 1897, Joe Kirkwood Sr. was the first from his country to win on the PGA Tour. It wasn't just once, but a lucky 13 times. A handful of top-5 major finishes, Kirkwood carved out a niche as a trick shot exhibitioner with his famous travels bringing him, with Walter Hagen, to Japan in 1930 - growing the sport there through exposure. Joe Kirkwood Jr. (b.1920) was also a victor on the PGA Tour, capturing three winner's trophies and even out-dueling Sam Snead at the 1951 Blue Ribbon Open. All the while the Hollywood actor Joe Kirkwood Jr. starred as boxer Joe Palooka in a popular film series, based off of the comic, from 1945-1951 and then again in 1954. These artifacts from the family tell the tale of Sr.'s travels and life through Jr.'s silver screen work. With thanks to Lark Kirkwood we offer The Kirkwood Family Collection.
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