This late 18th century silver watch with a seized movement and naive engraving of a golfer in a tricorn hat was considered by auctioneer Bob Gowland to be the earliest golf prize ever offered on the open market.
Assayed in 1789, the watch was inscribed Prize medal for the longest stroke hit, 231yrds, gained by James Clark esq. Striking a feathery ball this distance was an incredible feat,
possible only under the conditions of winter when the ground was hard with frost and running well.
Consigned to the Mickle Trafford village hall for sale on July 14, it sold at the bottom of its estimate for £10,000 (plus 15 per cent premium).
Late 18th century silver watch sells for £10,000
In the week before the world’s leading golfers competed for a silver claret jug on the Muirfield links outside Edinburgh, a much older prize from the Leith Links of the Honourable Company of Golfers of Edinburgh was being contested in Cheshire.
