Francis Ouimet Collection
No single person has had a greater impact on the game of golf in America than Francis Ouimet. Though gaining in popularity, golf was still a fringe sport until a 20 year old Francis Ouimet shocked the world by winning the 1913 US Open. It was front page news throughout the country. Ten years after Ouimet’s surprise victory, the number of golfers in the United States had tripled, and hundreds of new golf courses had been built.
All it took was a largely unknown caddie from Brookline, Massachusetts defeating the greatest golfers in the world.
Ouimet’s collection of golf medals, trophies, and memorabilia was acquired by the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund after Ouimet’s death in 1967. The collection has remained in the Ouimet Fund’s possession ever since. Many of these relics were displayed in the Francis Ouimet Museum that was in Weston, MA from 1984-2002, but have been sitting in storage ever since. Collectors often point to the dearth of quality Ouimet memorabilia in the collecting market. Well, with this auction, that’s about to change...
Now, approximately 50 years after it first took possession, the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund has chosen to auction its entire collection of Francis Ouimet medals and trophies. Francis Ouimet himself often said “…of all the things I have accomplished, I am proudest of the establishment of the Ouimet Scholarship Fund.” Money raised by this sale will go towards the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund’s primary objective - providing scholarships so that deserving young men and women who have worked at golf courses can obtain a college education.
Since the Ouimet Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, a portion of each winning bid may be eligible for a tax write-off. So bid often and let’s raise money for the largest independent scholarship fund in New England.
Francis Ouimet’s USGA Medallion Money Clip
This is Francis Ouimet's sterling silver USGA medallion money clip. The money clip is engraved "C.W. Littlefield to Francis Ouimet, Jan. 1948." C.W. Littlefield was the President of the USGA in 1946 and 1947 - with Francis Ouimet serving as Vice President under him. This was almost certainly a parting gift from Littlefield to his friend Ouimet. 1 3/4" diameter sterling silver USGA medal on clip.