The SOCIETY Newsletter #71

The Second Lost Trophy of the PGA Championship

Last year in our PGA Championship newsletter, we shared the remarkable tale of how Walter Hagen lost one of golf’s most iconic prizes: the Wanamaker Trophy.

It all started in 1925, after Hagen claimed victory at Olympia Fields. As legend has it, he went out on the town to celebrate—and never saw the trophy again. He had accidentally left it in the back seat of a taxi.

The following year, Hagen returned to the PGA Championship as the defending champion—trophyless. When officials asked about its whereabouts, Hagen famously quipped, “I didn’t bring it because I plan on winning it again.” And he did just that. Hagen called it shot and delivered!

In 1927, the swagger remained. Once again Hagen arrived empty-handed, again predicting victory, and again, he delivered.

But by 1928, his luck ran out. After Leo Diegel dethroned Hagen, the PGA found itself in a real jam. With press ready for post-round photographs, there was no trophy to present. The Wanamaker was still missing.

Thinking on their feet, PGA officials grabbed the largest trophy available from the clubhouse—the Maryland Cup—and handed it to Diegel for the winner’s photos. Strangely enough, no one seemed to notice the switch.

With the original Wanamaker still missing, the PGA followed the precedent set by the USGA, which had replaced the Havemeyer Trophy after it was lost in a fire in 1925. Instead of replicating the original, they commissioned an entirely new trophy—the Alex Smith Memorial Trophy—to honor the 1929 PGA Champion.

And wouldn’t you know it? Leo Diegel defended his title in 1929 and became the first recipient of the new trophy.

In 1930, at Fresh Meadow Country Club, Diegel returned the Alex Smith Trophy—but failed in his three-peat attempt. Tommy Armour claimed the championship and became the second (and last) golfer to lift the Alex Smith Memorial.

Then, in a twist only golf history could deliver, Walter Hagen resurfaced with the long-lost Wanamaker. While inventorying a warehouse at his LA Young Golf Company, Hagen discovered a crate containing the missing trophy. Unbeknownst to him, the cab company that found it had shipped it to the only address they had on record—his. The crate sat unopened for five years.

Hagen returned the Wanamaker to the PGA of America. But now they had a new problem: two trophies for one championship.

In 1931, the original Wanamaker Trophy was reinstated as the official prize of the PGA Championship. Rather than retire the Alex Smith Memorial, the PGA repurposed it as the award for the low medalist during match play qualifying—a tradition that continued until 1958, when the championship permanently adopted stroke play.

Thus, the saga of the lost Wanamaker Trophy became one of golf’s most endearing and improbable legends—featuring a forgotten cab ride, a vanished prize, Walter Hagen’s signature swagger, an improvised stand-in, and ultimately… two trophies—one of which would vanish into the mists of history.

(A special thanks to the PGA of America for the photos used in this short article)

Unusual Hosts of the PGA Championship

While the PGA Championship is now known for its modern rota of championship-ready venues, its history is dotted with some surprising hosts—courses more synonymous with the U.S. Open than with the PGA Championship. Among them are a handful of America’s most iconic and challenging layouts, which have only briefly appeared on the PGA Championship stage.

Oakmont Country Club

Known as one of the most grueling tests in golf, Oakmont has hosted the U.S. Open nine times (soon to be ten)—but it has also the PGA Championship three times , in 1922. 1951 and 1978. Despite Oakmont’s major pedigree, the PGA will likely never return due to its strong alignment with the USGA and its punishing setup.

Winged Foot Golf Club

Another U.S. Open favorite, Winged Foot hosted the 1997 PGA Championship on its West Course, where Davis Love III famously sealed his win beneath a rainbow. The club’s deep rough and demanding greens proved just as brutal for the PGA field as they have for U.S. Open contestants. To date, it remains Winged Foot’s first and likely only PGA appearance.

Pinehurst No. 2

Donald Ross’ masterpiece hosted the 1936 PGA Championship when the event was still contested in match play. Denny Shute emerged victorious, defeating Jimmy Thomson in the final. Though Pinehurst is a staple of golf lore and the USGA rota, the 1936 PGA Championship was the first Major Pinehurst #2 ever hosted. With the USGA locking in #2 into its U.S. Open Rota it too has sealed the fate of the PGA Championship ever returning.

Pebble Beach Golf Links

The storied seaside course has hosted the U.S. Open six times, but just once the PGA Championship—way back in 1977. Lanny Wadkins triumphed over Gene Littler in a sudden-death playoff, but surprisingly, the PGA has never returned to what is arguably the most photogenic venue in American golf.

Riviera Country Club

A West Coast gem and longtime host of the Genesis Invitational, Riviera held the PGA Championship twice in 1983. Hal Sutton outdueled Jack Nicklaus in a duel of ball-striking and 1995 when Steve Elkington claimed the Wanamaker.. Despite its elite status and major-worthy layout, Riviera hasn’t reappeared on the PGA Championship calendar—though it will finally host its second U.S. Open in 2031.

Each of these clubs stands tall in the pantheon of American championship golf. And yet, for the PGA Championship, their presence has been brief—unusual, memorable, and perhaps deserving of a second look.

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s SOCIETY Newsletter. If you enjoyed it please consider sharing with your friends.

Until next time

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T. Lewis