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 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 – some relics displayed, but many others simply sitting in storage for decades. Collectors often point to the dearth of quality Ouimet memorabilia in the collecting market. Well, that’s about to change...

Now, approximately 50 years after it first took possession, the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund has chosen to auction a few select pieces of memorabilia from its vast collection. 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 1921 “Walker Cup” Trophy

In 1920, the USGA held a series of meetings attempting to establish a preeminent international golf competition. These discussions were spearheaded by USGA President George Herbert Walker. Then, in 1921, William C. Fownes took an American Team to Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) to play a team competition against the best amateur golfers in Britain. The event was held at Hoylake the day before it would host the 1921 British Amateur. Included on that United States Team was a 19 year old Bobby Jones, as well as former US Amateur Champions Francis Ouimet and Chick Evans.

This America vs. Great Britain tournament would become the “Walker Cup” when it was contested the following year. Memorabilia from this inaugural “unofficial” Walker Cup in 1921 are scarce.

This 1921 tournament was also significant for another reason. It was the 19 year old Bobby Jones' first trip overseas. Jones participated in this Walker Cup match, then finished T5 at the British Amateur, and a few weeks later was involved in the most controversial moment in his career. Bobby Jones was seeing the Old Course at St Andrews for the first time in June 1921 for the Open Championship - and he did not like what he saw. Jones reportedly hated the Home of Golf, and walked off the course during the 3rd round of the 1921 Open when he took 4 shots to get out of a bunker on the 11th hole. Jones' reputation would take a serious hit due to his on-course temper and lack of sportsmanship during his first trip to the UK. 

Offered here is Francis Ouimet’s personal trophy from the unofficial 1921 Walker Cup. This sterling silver cigarette case is engraved with details of the event, and the names of Ouimet and his victorious American teammates including Bobby Jones and Chick Evans. 

3 1/2” x 3 3/4” x 1 3/4” high.

Letter of Provenance from the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund