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1922 Walter Hagen British Open Championship Gold Medal....
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$65,725.00
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Description
1922 Walter Hagen British Open Championship Gold Medal. In June of 1922, America's sportswriters proudly proclaimed that Walter Hagen had "brought home the bacon" after he won the British Open Golf Championship, beating arch rival Jim Barnes by a single stroke. The "Haig" was the first native-born American to capture golf's oldest championship. He would go on to win the event three more times in the 1920's, but it was the 1922 event at Royal St. George's Golf Course that not only paved the way for other Americans to cross "the pond" to compete in the Open, but also launched Sir Walter on his first exhibition tour from which he would earn a vast sum of money over the next fifteen years. In fact, armed with the emblematic credentials of his win in the Open (the Claret Jug Trophy and the Championship Gold Medal), over the span of the next eleven months, Hagen played in 120 separate exhibitions in the United States for an average fee of $500. No sports person in the world, including Babe Ruth, was earning that kind of money in those days. In addition, Hagen signed lucrative endorsement contracts for all sorts of products such as the newly invented wooden golf tee, fancy socks, and cigarettes. Hagen was bold and brash, but he could back up his bravado with his golf game and a sophisticated style that did not offend.After a year had passed, the Claret Jug had to be returned to its home at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews. But the Championship Gold Medal was the winner's to keep. Offered here is Walter Hagen's 1922 British Open Championship Gold Medal. It was obtained in 1994 by the consignor's agent from Ken Janke of Michigan. Mr. Janke was a notable golf personality and businessman who had been a close friend and advisor of Walter Hagen and the Hagen family. He had been given the 1922 British Open Medal by the Hagen family as a token of appreciation. The 1922 British Open Gold Medal measures 1.75" (4cm.) in diameter. The front reads "Open Golf Championship 1922" while the back is inscribed "WINNER WALTER HAGEN SCORE 300 JUNE," along with three small hallmarks. The medal is in Mint condition. Accompanying the medal are documentary letters from Ken Janke and Alice Hagen which provide ironclad provenance.
Walter Hagen won eleven Major Championships in his career. Only Jack Nicklaus with eighteen and Tiger Woods with fourteen have won more. To Hagen's credit, it should be remembered that the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the British Open were suspended during World War I, and the Masters was not yet in existence until 1934, which was well after Hagen's prime. If Hagen had been able to compete in all four majors without interruption, it is certain that he would have won at least a few (if not many) more championships. In any case, Walter Hagen ranks among the top ten golfers of all time on everyone's list, and this British Open Championship Gold Medal represents one of Hagen's and golf's crowning achievements.
Auction Info
2012 August 2 Vintage Sports Collectibles Platinum Night Signature Auction- Baltimore #7057 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
August, 2012
2nd
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 20
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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