Congrats to Scottie Scheffler!

Congratulations to Scottie Scheffler for winning the 2024 Olympic Gold Medal in Golf! Scottie‘s Gold Medal is icing on the top for what has been an amazing 2024 Golf Year for the two-time Masters Champion.

The First U.S. Woman to Win an Olympic Event Had No Idea She Won!

In 1900 Margaret Abbott became the first American Female to win an Olympic event. Miss Abbott won the 1900 Women’s Golf Event held at the Compiègne Club located 80 miles North of Paris. Unbeknownst to Miss Abbott, the golf event, which was labeled an International Golf Competition, was in fact an Olympic Event.

Margaret Abbott won and lived another 55 years never knowing that she was not only an Olympic champion, but the first American Woman to win an Olympic Event.

So as we celebrate the accomplishment of Scottie Scheffler and eagerly await the playing of the Women’s Olympic Golf Event, let us take a moment to thank Margaret Abbott for being a trailblazer for Team USA!

The Golfer Who Turned Down the Olympic Gold Medal in Golf

One of the oddest stories in Olympic History, is also one of the oddest stories in Golf History.

In 1908 Golf was once again set up to be an Olympic Event. Golf was first introduced as an Olympic Sport in the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, it was played four years later in the St Louis Games & was scheduled to be played at Royal St George for the 1908 Olympic Games in London between June 1st and 3rd.

What happened next was nothing short of calamity!

It started in 1906 upon the announcement of the Olympic Games in London. The Olympic Committee claimed that they sent a letter to the R&A and it was either never sent, never received or just ignored. As the date came closer, an all out revolt was upon the sport of Golf in the Olympics, with some of Scotland’s and England’s biggest names against its inclusion in the Olympic Games.

Then there was the confusing registration process, which in the end, served as the excuse for the event’s eventual cancelation. Out of all the entries from countries all around the world, only one participant, the reigning Olympic Champion, George Lyons filled out the forms correctly.

With less than 48 hours before the first tee time, the Olympic Committee canceled the event.

This left the Olympic Commitee in the confusing position of what to do with the Gold Medal.

Technically Canada’s George Lyon was the only contestant officially signed up, due to the botched registration process. So the Olympic Committee offered the 1908 Olympic Gold Medal to the golfer who technically was the only contestant- the 1904 Gold Medal winner, George Lyon.

George Lyon, a gentleman of the highest sort, refused the medal, that in his words, he did not earn. Lyon left England medaless and returned home on the costly voyage back to Canada empty handed.

Whatever Happened to the 1908 Gold Medal in Golf?

The Unawarded 1908 Olympic Gold Medal for Golf reappeared in March of 2023 and was on the auction block in the Golf Auction’s Spring Auction.

The auction ended at a price of just over $64,000 after the Buyer’s Premium. Not bad for a priceless piece of golf history that never happened!

Two Spots Left in the SOCIETY Golf Tour of Scotland

We have only two spots left in the SOCIETY’s Historic Golf Trip to Scotland August 7-15, 2025.

The trip will include rounds at St Andrews Old Course, St Andrews New Course, Carnoustie, Prestwick and Royal Troon with optional rounds at Old Musselburgh Links & on Bruntsfield’s Short Course. We also have room for a few non-golfers and the pricing is adjusted accordingly.

For a detailed itinerary and pricing please visit:

 http://www.perrygolf.com/custom/?quote=14492028)

Or call our Golf Travel Expert at PerryGolf, Gary Sheppard at 800-344-5257 ext. 228. You can also send him an email at [email protected] .

Thank you for taking the time to read our free weekly newsletter dedicated to the history of the game of golf. If you enjoy it, please let your friends know that they should subscribe too. Again it’s completely free of charge!

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T.