Hands On The Prize

Trophies Are The Ultimate Reward For USGA Champions


January 11, 2007

This story originally ran in the May 2006 "Inside The USGA" Newsletter.

Every year, the names generally change and, in the case of professional events, so often does the prize money. Even the venues are often altered.

Yet there's always one constant when it comes to a golf competition: the trophy.

Whether it's an amateur or professional event, the trophy presentation to the champion officially brings closure.

The crown jewels of the USGA championships. (John Mummert/USGA)

Trophies come in all shapes, sizes and materials. Some are sparkling pieces of Waterford^® crystal. Some are beautifully shaped cups or bowls. A few are made from sterling silver or some other metal. Some feature elaborate artistry that looks as if it were created by Picasso or Michelangelo. Occasionally they are even replicas of clubhouses.

But no matter the design, long after the championship putt is holed, all the reporters' questions are answered and the adulation has waned, the trophy stands as an iconic monument to the achievement.

Champions come and go each season, but their names will never be removed from the trophies. Once the name is engraved, it becomes a permanent fixture for future generations to admire.

In most cases, the trophy is the event's idyllic symbol, the desired goal for every participant.

Of course, some trophies are more prestigious than others just like some competitions stand out more than others.

Just mention the Claret Jug and many golf fans will tell you it's the British Open Championship prize. Its shape is highly recognizable, especially the apex with a spout that looks like something used to pour iced tea. Champions often recant stories about where the Jug has been and the wide array of libations that have been dispensed from it.

The Championship gives it champions the Wanamaker Trophy. It's named for a department store magnate, Rodman Wanamaker, who was instrumental in coordinating a 1916 luncheon that led to the formation of the of America, which conducts the championship.

The Masters has a trophy that comes in the form of a miniature Augusta National clubhouse. Yet some people don't know it exists because the green jacket is better associated with the competition and its champions.

And while the trophy for the U.S. Open doesn't have a specific moniker attached to it other than that of United States Open Championship Trophy, the 156 contestants who arrive on site each June certainly know what they are playing for. The two-handled trophy, with a distinctive hand-chased golfing scene on its bowl, is what every player dreams about hoisting.

The same can be said for other USGA championships. U.S. Amateur contestants play for the Havemeyer Trophy, while the beautifully crafted Robert Cox Trophy goes to the U.S. Women's Amateur champion. Each USGA championship trophy stands alone, a unique piece of craftsmanship that offers its own set of traditions and stories.

For instance, the original Havemeyer Trophy was destroyed in a 1925 fire at East Lake Golf Club in , where the reigning champion, Bob Jones, had it on display. Today, a replica is given to the champion, while its replacement for the original resides at Golf House. In fact, all the trophies given each year to USGA champions are replicas.

The original Robert Cox Trophy remains in existence. It's the only USGA trophy that was donated by a person from another country - in this case, . That original, which dates from 1896 and is the oldest surviving USGA trophy, is housed at Golf House and will be on display when the for Golf History opens in 2008.

All of the trophies in the USGA collection are unique. Every USGA champion receives a gold medal, but the hardware the individual takes home is vastly different for each championship. The U.S. Open trophy doesn't look anything like the U.S. Amateur trophy or the USGA Senior Women's Amateur trophy. The U.S. Junior Amateur trophy looks like an oversized cereal bowl, while the U.S. Women's Amateur trophy arguably is the most colorful and aesthetically pleasing with its intricate enamel work and inset jewels.

So where do the trophies come from? Many have been donations from individuals - i.e. Robert Cox - or in the case of the Robert T. Jones Memorial Mid-Amateur Trophy, an organization. The Atlanta Athletic Club and the Georgia State Golf Association provided the trophy given annually to the U.S. Mid-Amateur champion as a tribute to Jones, who was born and raised in and competed as an amateur before retiring after his 1930 Grand Slam.

As spring morphs into summer, the USGA is preparing to conduct its 13 national championships. At the conclusion of each competition, a gold medal and trophy will go to one deserving contestant. Each champion keeps the trophy for a year - those who can afford it may even commission a 90-percent replica to have as a permanent keepsake - before shipping it back to the USGA for another champion to enjoy.

So if you attend a USGA championship this summer, take some time to look at the championship trophy. Peek at the names of the past champions. Glimpse at the brilliant craftsmanship. It is among the reasons these championship titles are coveted by the participants.

Who wouldn't want that piece of hardware on their mantle?

is a staff writer for the USGA. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.