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Last known possession of Hitler`s Cup with English Golf Union
London, Mar 02: In 1936, unfancied Germany, represented by 19-year-old Leonard Von Beckerath and C.A. Helmers, provided the shock of the opening day`s first two rounds, moving five shots clear of England and 10 in front of France.
London, Mar 02: In 1936, unfancied Germany, represented by 19-year-old Leonard Von Beckerath and C.A. Helmers, provided the shock of the opening day's first two rounds, moving five shots clear of England and 10 in front of France.
''On that Wednesday evening, the possible victory of the German team encouraged Hitler to go to Baden-Baden to present the trophy,'' Jeanneau wrote.
But it was not to be. While en route to the course, Hitler was told the English pair of Tommy Thirsk and Arnold Bentley had surged into the lead, which they did not surrender over the final two rounds, so he immediately turned back.
Improving France finished second and Germany, who fell apart on the last day, had to settle for third.
A jubilant Thirsk, who closed with consecutive rounds of 65, and Bentley were presented with the so-called 'Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor Cup' by Karl Henkell, president of the German Golf Federation.
Although described as a cup, it was actually a silver plate encrusted with yellow amber, Jeanneau said.
At this point, the story becomes a little hazy. What is certain is the 'Hitler Cup' made its way back to England where, years later, it was in the possession of the golf society, who were initially based in London before moving to Dron Court, west of St Andrews in Scotland.
Michael Bonallack, Royal and Ancient Golf Club secretary from 1983 to 1999, told reporters: ''As far as I know, the English Golf Union had their headquarters at Whitehall Court in London and that's also where the golf society used to be.
''Then the English Golf Union moved out of Whitehall Court, but left behind the Hitler Cup. It then seemed to go with the golf society when they later moved out.
''The last I heard of it, the cup had ended up at St Andrews at Dron Court, where they were basing their headquarters.''
Since then, there has been no further update to this intriguing story, although a source close to the English Golf Union told reporters the Cup might have been stolen.
The trophy, one of the most unusual prizes in golfing history, remains missing. If it still exists, it is probably gathering dust in some attic or cupboard.
Golf, which featured in the Olympics at the 1900 Paris Games before making a second appearance at the 1904 St Louis Games, boasts a rich heritage and some of the oldest awards in sport.
The Claret Jug, which goes to the winner of the British Open, was first presented in 1872, although the tournament's inaugural trophy was a red leather Moroccan belt won by Willie Park Senior in 1860.
Horace Rawlins clinched the first US Open trophy in 1895 while Allan Macfie became the inaugural British amateur champion in 1885.
The Hitler Cup would certainly make a unique, if not widely popular, addition to golf's varied assortment of silverware. However, it might just need the likes of Holmes and Poirot to make it possible.
Bureau Report
''On that Wednesday evening, the possible victory of the German team encouraged Hitler to go to Baden-Baden to present the trophy,'' Jeanneau wrote.
But it was not to be. While en route to the course, Hitler was told the English pair of Tommy Thirsk and Arnold Bentley had surged into the lead, which they did not surrender over the final two rounds, so he immediately turned back.
Improving France finished second and Germany, who fell apart on the last day, had to settle for third.
A jubilant Thirsk, who closed with consecutive rounds of 65, and Bentley were presented with the so-called 'Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor Cup' by Karl Henkell, president of the German Golf Federation.
Although described as a cup, it was actually a silver plate encrusted with yellow amber, Jeanneau said.
At this point, the story becomes a little hazy. What is certain is the 'Hitler Cup' made its way back to England where, years later, it was in the possession of the golf society, who were initially based in London before moving to Dron Court, west of St Andrews in Scotland.
Michael Bonallack, Royal and Ancient Golf Club secretary from 1983 to 1999, told reporters: ''As far as I know, the English Golf Union had their headquarters at Whitehall Court in London and that's also where the golf society used to be.
''Then the English Golf Union moved out of Whitehall Court, but left behind the Hitler Cup. It then seemed to go with the golf society when they later moved out.
''The last I heard of it, the cup had ended up at St Andrews at Dron Court, where they were basing their headquarters.''
Since then, there has been no further update to this intriguing story, although a source close to the English Golf Union told reporters the Cup might have been stolen.
The trophy, one of the most unusual prizes in golfing history, remains missing. If it still exists, it is probably gathering dust in some attic or cupboard.
Golf, which featured in the Olympics at the 1900 Paris Games before making a second appearance at the 1904 St Louis Games, boasts a rich heritage and some of the oldest awards in sport.
The Claret Jug, which goes to the winner of the British Open, was first presented in 1872, although the tournament's inaugural trophy was a red leather Moroccan belt won by Willie Park Senior in 1860.
Horace Rawlins clinched the first US Open trophy in 1895 while Allan Macfie became the inaugural British amateur champion in 1885.
The Hitler Cup would certainly make a unique, if not widely popular, addition to golf's varied assortment of silverware. However, it might just need the likes of Holmes and Poirot to make it possible.
Bureau Report