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British Open Claret Jug Trophy

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Author	Topic: British Open Claret Jug Trophy
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1343 Registered: Apr 93	posted 07-20-2008 03:11 PM [01-2666] We know next to nothing about sports but as I perused the paper this morning I saw a photo of Mark O'Meara kissing the silver Claret Jug after winning the 1998 British Golf Open. It reminded me of the recent thread about the Campbell Cup. So I did a little research about the Claret Jug and thought I'd share. The first Open Championship was played in 1860 at Prestwick and at that time, the winner was awarded the "Challenge Belt." This was a belt made of wide, red Moroccan leather adorned with silver buckles and emblems. For the first 11 years of the British Open, the belt was awarded to the winner who got to keep it for that year but then return it to the club for the next year's winner. This worked well until Tom Morris won his third consecutive championship in 1870. According to Prestwick rules, the belt became the permanent property of anyone who won three consecutive Open Championships. So, Prestwick was left without a trophy and without the wherewithal to commission a new one. Prestwick teamed up with the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers to share the Open Championship as well as the cost of commissioning a new trophy. I could not find exactly how it was decided to make a silver claret jug and I have also contacted the R&A about who made the jug. The first recipient of the Claret Jug was Tom Kidd in 1873, however, Tom Morris was the first to have his name engraved on the trophy because he won the Open in 1872. Following the 1927 Open won by Bobby Jones, the Royal & Ancient Golf club decided to keep the Claret Jug on permanent display in the Clubhouse and present future winners with a replica. The Claret Jug holds exactly one bottle of wine and has held everything from beer to champagne. It has been accidently hit by a golf swing by five time champion Tom Watson and been driven around Dallas in the backseat of champion Todd Hamilton's car. Today the engraver will be adding the latest champion's name onto the Claret Jug. IP: Logged
jersey Posts: 1203 Registered: Feb 2005	posted 07-20-2008 05:50 PM Hi June! Thanks for the wonderful history & Welcome to the Wide World of Forum sports girls! As Jack Nicklaus said today on ABC sports, the Claret Jug is the symbol of Greatness in Golf. Today the winner was Padraig Harrington from Ireland. I'll drink to that! Go Irish! Jersey IP: Logged
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1343 Registered: Apr 93	posted 07-21-2008 12:04 AM Thanks, Jersey for the update. Maybe now I have finally found something to truly interest me about sports. IP: Logged
doc Posts: 730 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 07-21-2008 11:51 AM The original claret jug was made by Mackay Cunningham & Co. of Edinburgh. I don't know who makes the replicas now. Faine oir ort to Padraig on his second victory-two claret jugs, one for each hand (the Gaelic phrase is a lovely one meaning well done, but literally translates to "a gold ring on you"). IP: Logged
jersey Posts: 1203 Registered: Feb 2005	posted 07-21-2008 01:04 PM Hello again June! You might also want to take a look at the Masters Trophy made I believe in England by Dixon. That's some piece of work! BTW The Claret Trophy replaced the Challenger Belt. I wonder if it was one size fits all????? Kidding! Jersey IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 07-21-2008 01:23 PM Heh, had to chuckle when I read this - grew up golfing, but watching it on TV ranks just above watching paint dry for me, but my ex golf pro BF, who finds it "relaxing" to watch, called me over to see the presentation of the claret jug and 2nd place plate with the comment, "Here's something for you, Honey." Guess he knows me pretty well..... ~Cheryl IP: Logged
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1343 Registered: Apr 93	posted 07-21-2008 09:32 PM As doc says, the original Claret Jug was made by Mackay, Cunningham & Company of Edinburgh. According to David Bremner in his book entitled The Industries of Scotland, Their Rise, Progess and Present Condition (1869), this firm was Her Majesty's Goldsmiths for Scotland. I have not yet been able to find out who made the replica but the R&A did confirm to me that in 1990 a further replica was made for the British golf museum. And in 2000 a 3rd was made for travelling exhibitions. A fourth was created in 2003. As I find out more, I will let you know. IP: Logged
jersey Posts: 1203 Registered: Feb 2005	posted 07-25-2008 09:44 PM Hello June, You might also like to take a look at the Wexford Hunt Club Trophy. Have a nice weekend! Jersey IP: Logged

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