The curious case of the missing Wanamaker Trophy

CNN - May 15th, 2025

The historic Wanamaker Trophy, awarded at the PGA Championship, holds a fascinating tale from 1925 involving golf legend Walter Hagen. After celebrating his victory at the Olympia Fields Country Club, Hagen reportedly lost the trophy, which he had entrusted to a taxi driver. Despite this mishap, Hagen went on to win the PGA Championship consecutively in the following years, maintaining a facade until his streak ended in 1928. A duplicate trophy was made, and the original mysteriously reappeared six years later, adding to Hagen's legendary status.

Walter Hagen's story is intertwined with the Wanamaker Trophy, highlighting his dominant era and showmanship in golf. With 11 major wins, including the US Open and the Open Championship, Hagen left an indelible mark on the sport. His role in the development of the Ryder Cup and his remarkable achievements solidified his legacy. Today, the original Wanamaker Trophy is displayed at the PGA of America's headquarters, while the duplicate and replicas continue to honor champions, symbolizing the enduring allure of golf's rich history.

Pga Championship Walter Hagen Wanamaker Trophy Golf History Ryder Cup Major Golf Tournaments Sports Legends

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides an engaging and informative narrative about Walter Hagen and the Wanamaker Trophy, offering valuable insights into a notable period in golf history. It excels in clarity and readability, making the content accessible to a wide audience. However, the story's impact is limited by its focus on historical events, which may not resonate with a broader public interest or provoke significant controversy. The lack of explicit sourcing and transparency in the reporting process affects the overall credibility, though the factual accuracy of the content is largely sound. To enhance the article's quality, a more balanced perspective and greater transparency in sourcing would be beneficial.

Accuracy

The story is largely accurate, presenting verifiable details about the Wanamaker Trophy and Walter Hagen's career. The trophy's dimensions and weight are consistent with known facts, as is the historical context of its creation and Hagen's achievements. The narrative about Hagen losing the trophy aligns with historical anecdotes, though the specific claim about the taxi driver lacks definitive verification. The story accurately reflects Hagen's significance in golf history, including his major wins and contributions to the Ryder Cup.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Walter Hagen's achievements and the history of the Wanamaker Trophy, offering a celebratory perspective on Hagen's career. While it provides a positive portrayal of Hagen, it lacks a broader range of perspectives, such as those of contemporaries or historians who might offer additional insights into his legacy. The narrative could be more balanced by including viewpoints on how Hagen's actions, like losing the trophy, were perceived at the time.

Clarity

The article is well-written and easy to follow, with a clear narrative structure that guides the reader through the historical context and key events. The language is engaging and descriptive, effectively conveying the significance of the Wanamaker Trophy and Walter Hagen's achievements. The tone is neutral and informative, aiding comprehension and maintaining reader interest throughout the story.

Source quality

The article does not explicitly reference its sources, which makes it difficult to assess the quality and reliability of the information. The story relies on historical accounts and well-documented events, but the lack of direct citations or expert commentary limits the ability to verify the narrative's accuracy. Including authoritative sources or expert opinions would enhance the credibility of the reporting.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its sourcing and methodology, as it does not disclose how the information was gathered or verified. There is no indication of potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the reporting. Greater transparency about the sources and the process used to compile the story would improve the reader's understanding of the basis for the claims made.