Hagen, Hutchinson, Melhorn, McLeod & Four (4) Golfers Black & White Group Photo
Starting off the roaring 20's in 1920 there was a group of 12 golfers that's trip to the Open Championship was covered by a fund-raising campaign by American Golf magazine. It was in effort to finally have an American golfer win the 1921 Open Championship, a feat that had never been done. It worked, as Jock Hutchison who had recently become a US citizen became Champion Golfer of the Year! Golf Monthly and other "The idea was that of James D. Harnett, who worked for the magazine. The PGA of America made a positive reply and the idea was announced in the November 1920 issue. The fund was called the British Open Championship Fund. By the next spring the idea had been firmed-up. A team of 12 would be chosen, who would sail in time to play a warm-up tournament at Gleneagles (the Glasgow Herald 1000 Guinea Tournament) prior to the British Open at St Andrews, two weeks later. The team of 12 was chosen by PGA president George Sargent and PGA secretary Alec Pirie, with the assistance of USGA vice-president Robert Gardner. A team of 11 sailed from New York on the RMS Aquitania on 24 May, together with James Harnett, Harry Hampton deciding at the last minute that he could not travel."
This original photo from the Kirkwood collection depicts the American team posed for a "team" photo, each noted on the back of the photo as follows: (Walter) Hagen, (Bill) Mellhorn, (Charles) Hoffner, (Fred) McLeod, (Tom) Kerrigan, (George) McLean, (Emmet) French, (Jock) Hutchison, (Clarence) Hackney & (Wilfrid) Reid. 4 1/8" x 2 1/2"
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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