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The USGA’s
mission statement refers to the game’s “ancient and honorable
traditions.” Since the WPGA was founded in 1899, the
organization has a few of its own. Last year, the Championship
Committee determined it was time to repair the oldest and most
valuable trophies. The first one worked on was an exception—the
Mid-Am trophy purchased about ten years ago. The championship
started in 1985, but the silver trophy from England is
considerably older than that. Last spring the trophy was
straightened by a silversmith in Virginia.
Four more were
recently repaired--mostly bumping out dents, strengthening their
bases and other structural weaknesses, straightening and
polishing, by area silversmith Thomas Sandretto, Turtle Creek,
PA. His work description mentions chemical removal (oxide and
sulfide), removing solder from previous repairs, refining
surfaces, and application of wax.
These four
trophies recently finished are historic.
William C. Fownes Trophy (Amateur)
Harry C. Milholland Vase (Open)
Percy H. Preston Memorial Trophy (Junior)
Thomas J. Jamison Vase (Senior)
Although the
Open and Amateur began in 1899, it appears to Sandretto that the
Amateur, Open, and Junior trophies were all purchased in the
1920’s, which makes sense because the Junior started in 1921,
with the Preston Memorial set in a World War I theme. The
Senior began in 1929.
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