Expert: Skip Ward - 8/17/2002

Question
Why is the trophy given to the winner of the PGA is called The Wanamaker trophy?  

Answer
Dear Bob, thanks for the question...ah, yes the Wanamaker!  Thanks to a friend at the USGA, You and I now know that  Rodman Wanamaker (1863-1928) was a wealthy member of the department store family who brought together the original members of the Professional Golfers' Association in January, 1916, and who donated $2,580 as a purse for the first PGA championship.  Jim Barnes won it that year.  Golf actually was one of his (Wanamaker) minor pursuits; his major outside interest was aviation.  At his death he was head of Wanamaker's and the most heavily insured person in the world, with $6 million protection on business and family.  In 1908 he had been the first individual to take out a $1 million life insurance policy. Good luck and remember...

Love the game,
Skipper