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| Mid-Amateur trophy to be
displayed at Oakmont |
| By
Western Pennsylvania Golf Association |
| Posted Friday, July 15,
2011 |
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The Association began the WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship in
1985, as did many other organizations shortly after the USGA
began its Mid-Amateur in 1981. Former WPGA President, Fred
Gibbons, Youghiogheny, won the WPGA inaugural. Started as an
18-hole competition, the Mid-Am was expanded to 36 holes in
1993. Multiple champions include John Jones, Sean Knapp,
Frank Fuhrer, III, and Nathan Smith, Arnold Cutrell, and
Marshall Marraccini.
A beautiful silver trophy was purchased from an English
firm, then named for Oakmont's John Birmingham, the top
amateur of the 1960's. The former Shadyside Academy and Duke
University standout won three straight West Penn Amateurs,
1966-68 and two West Penn Opens, '64 & '72. He qualified for
fifteen USGA Amateur championships, with a tenth place
finish in the stroke play era being his best. He was deemed
the Player of the 60's during the Association's centennial
celebration, 1998-99.
Since the Birmingham family has a long history at Oakmont,
the Association agreed to an Oakmont request to display the
trophy at the club. Also housed there is the William C.
Fownes trophy for the West Penn Amateur. Oakmont has built a
fine trophy display area near the club entrance, so two of
the Association's most significant trophies will have a
great place for viewing.
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