Lot # 10: Sterling Silver 1744 Honourable Company Replica Trophy Club

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 42 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed

Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2024 Premier Auction",
which ran from 11/7/2024 2:00 PM to
11/17/2024 9:00 PM



Offered here is one of six replicas of what is possibly the most impressive and historic golf trophy in existence: the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ sterling silver club originally contested for in 1744. Presented by the City of Edinburgh to the Company of Edinburgh Golfers, this life-size masterpiece was created to serve as a perpetual trophy for the first organized golfing competition ever held. This landmark event took place on the five-hole course at Leith Links. The winner was required to "spend a gold or silver piece" that would be attached to the club to commemorate his victory. This practice was changed some years later, and the winner donated a silver golf ball instead. Each year another silver golf ball would be attached to the trophy club. 

The city of Edinburgh advertised the tournament in the local paper. The rules for the event did not specify the number of rounds, but it is thought that the competitors played four circuits (20 holes) like they do in the match recounted in Thomas Mathison’s 1743 book The Goff. The winner of the silver club would assume the duties of the club captain for the next year and was required to pay a deposit of 50 pounds sterling before taking the trophy, to ensure it would be returned the following year. The oldest known list of rules of golf, or the “13 Articles and Laws in Playing at Golf” as they were known, were created to govern play at this event.

Today, the original silver club is displayed in the Muirfield clubhouse, with no plans for it to be sold. The only way anyone can own the impressiveness of this iconic club is to acquire one of the scarce replicas. Again, only six are believed to have been made over the years. 

The brilliant replica offered here was made in 2003 under the direction of Scottish silversmith Alexander Kirkwood & Son. Kirkwood brought in another silversmith to help replicate the club from top to bottom using meticulous measurements from the original. A minor adjustment was made to the back of the head, giving it a slightly thicker dimension to distinguish it from the original. 

For those who have never seen a sterling silver trophy club up close, it’s an unforgettable experience - the brilliance and craftsmanship are truly dazzling. Plus, the 1744 silver club’s place in history is second to none!

This club comes with six sterling silver feather balls, but has hangers on the shaft for 27 more should the new owner want to have additional silver balls made and enjoy the full experience.

45" long. Silver golf balls true to size. Overall club weighs 47.4 oz

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