A Championship Moment at Exmoor
September 14, 1952: The world s Number One amateur golfer stepped forward on the Exmoor patio, sun-burned, drenched in sweat, and -- after seven days and 170 holes of nerveracking golf -- victorious. Frank Stranahan of Toledo, Ohio had bested a star-studded field in the 1952 Western Amateur Championship, defeating his nemesis -- and friend -- in the final match -- the player Ben Hogan once called the best golfer in the world -- Harvie Ward, Jr. Gordon E. Kummer was eager to fulfill his duties as president of the Western Golf Association: to announce the winner and present the Thorne Trophy, awarded to every Western Amateur champion since 1899.
Frank Stranahan then received the prize he would display in his Ohio and Florida homes for more than 60 years -- the winner s sterling silver plate, crafted by Spaudling & Co. of Chicago. A new Western champion had been crowned, and Exmoor, with dozens of members serving in key volunteer roles, had organized a thrilling week of championship golf.
The Frank Stranahan Silver Plate Returns to Exmoor The club recently acquired for its permanent collection the plate awarded to this great champion on our patio, 63 years ago. The plate was acquired from a private collector.
The silver plate and 1952 photo are now displayed in the Trophy Bar.
The 1952 Western Field Was Deep. Competitors included: Bob Goldwater (brother of presidential candidate Barry Goldwater), Don Cherry (famous singer), Bill Campbell (later U.S. Amateur Champion and the only man to head both the USGA and the R&A). The great Chick Evans (founder of the Evans Scholars Program, Exmoor member in 1909, and one of America s greatest amateur players) made it to the quarter-final match. Also: Tom Veech, former Notre Dame team captain and Wisconsin state champion -- and father of current Exmoor member Patrick Veech.
Exmoor Head Golf Professional Bill Stupple (tall man, left) works with WGA officials to start tournament play at the first tee.
Jerome Bowes, Jr. (right), Exmoor president (1942-43) and president of the WGA (1950-51), served as the club s organizing chairman of the 1952 Western Amateur.
America s Top Amateurs Clash in the Semi-Finals Stranahan Rallies to Defeat Knowles, 4 &2 Frank Stranahan (1922-2013), known as the Toledo strongman for his devotion to physical fitness, was the world s top amateur for more than a decade. Won the 1948 and 1950 British Amateurs, runner-up in five majors Masters and U. S. Open. Won the Canadian Amateur (1947, 1948) and the Tam O Shanter All-American Amateur (1948-1953). Won four Western Amateurs. Turned pro and won the Los Angeles Open in 1958. Competed in eight consecutive British Opens, helping, along with Arnold Palmer, to gain acceptance of the Open as one of golf s four majors. Was the #1 power weight lifter in his weight class, 1945-1954. Bobby Knowles, Jr. (1914-2007), Beverly, Mass., 1951 French Amateur Champion, winner of state titles in Massachusetts and South Carolina. Member Walker Cup 1951. Great grandson of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Ward Comes from Behind to Beat Morey, 3 &2 Harvie Ward, Jr. (1925-2004), Tarboro, NC, is the only golfer to have won the British Amateur (1952), U. S. Amateur (1955, 1956), the Canadian Amateur (1954), and the NCAA individual championship (1949 North Carolina). Played on three victorious Walker Cup teams, winning all six matches. Placed 4 th in the Masters (1957) and served as coach to PGA star Payne Stewart. Member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. His accomplishments are portrayed in the popular book The Match. Dale Morey (1919-2002), gifted Louisiana State basketball star from Martinsville, Ind., won 300 tournaments in his career, plus state amateur championships in four states North Carolina, Indiana, Kentucky and Texas. Winner of the 1953 Western Amateur, two U. S. Senior Amateurs, played on three Walker Cup teams. Defeated Exmoor star golfer Ken Morine 1 up in match play.
Crowds surge on Exmoor s 16th hole during the 36-hole final match. 1952 Western Amateur caddie badge donated to Exmoor by member Tom Kearney.
Play continued in the afternoon round on Exmoor s old 9th hole, today s practice hole, just east of the Golf Shop. View from clubhouse roof.
The final match turned on #12 (then #13) when Harvie Ward dumped two tee shots into the lake.
Stranahan closed the match on #16, the 34th hole of play, winning 3 & 2 over Harvie Ward, Jr.
As evening shadows fell, Frank Stranahan stayed late to sign autographs for admiring young fans.
Frank Stranahan (1922-2013) Frank s son Lance (below with his father) sent this photo to Exmoor in 2013, just months before his father died. In memory of their father s victory at Exmoor, the family also gifted to the club a MacGregor Tourney/Tommy Armour persimmon driver, used by Frank during the 1950s. The club is displayed in the Exmoor Archive Room.
In 2015, Exmoor will observe the 100th anniversary of our golf course, as designed by golf architect Donald J. Ross. This document is one in a series of profiles recalling important golf achievements over the last century at Exmoor Country Club. Produced by the History Committee for the members of Exmoor. Photos from the Exmoor Archives.