The Chicago Golf Club: The Oldest Golf Club in North America

In the year 1850, there were only 15 golf courses in the world, all in the UK (in fact all except for the Royal Blackheath Golf Club were in Scotland!). With the invention of the gutta percha golf ball, and its relative ease of production, the game of golf expanded rapidly across the world. By the year 1900, the number of worldwide golf courses had exploded to 2,000.

The Chicago Golf Club was established in 1892, during this period of expansion. It is the oldest golf club in North America, and hosted the U.S. Open in 1897. It was the third U.S. Open ever, and during the early years the U.S. Open was dominated by English and Scottish golfers, many of whom were playing their very first game in the United States.

That brings me to this beautiful sterling silver trophy produced by American silversmith, Gorham:

Lot 552 in the PBA Galleries Auction of Fine Golf Books & Memorabilia: The Library of John Burns, Part II - with Additions.

Lot 552: Gorham silver trophy from Chicago Golf Club

The hallmark from the premier silversmith Gorham Manufacturing Company (Lion, Anchor, Gothic Letter G), which was founded in Rhode Island in 1831, can be seen clearly stamped on the bottom:

And here you can see its elegant design, with floral border details:

Don't miss your opportunity to own this trophy from early American golf history, and others in the PBA Galleries auction, to be held on Thursday, March 5th, 2015 beginning at 11 a.m. Pacific Time.

The full online auction catalog can be found here:
Sale 555: Fine Golf Books & Memorabilia: The Library of John Burns, Part II with Additions

Any questions about auctions, buying and selling, antiquarian books or collectibles? Give me a call or shoot me an email!

Erin Escobar
Antiquarian Books, Fine Art & Golf History Specialist
PBA Galleries, Midwest Division
(608) 819-6955 
erin@pbagalleries.com
www.linkedin.com/in/erinantiquarianbookexpert 
Meet the Expert: Erin Escobar, Midwest Representative