Page 33 - Western Amateur 120th Championship Program 2022, Exmoor Country Club

Western Amateur’s George R.Thorne Trophy

Mr. Thorne, president of Montgomery
Ward and Company, founded
Midlothian Country Club in 1898. A
year later, the club became one of the
original 11 member clubs of the WGA.
Mr. Thorne was so delighted by the
success of the first Western Amateur,
he donated $500 to buy the Western
Amateur trophy that today still carries
his name.
The trophy has a particular history with
Exmoor, having survived the 1904 fire
A detailed shot of the previous champions’engraved names
that destroyed much of the clubhouse. on the George R.Thorne Trophy
As the early morning fire raged through
George R. Thorne
the structure, club Superintendent
The George R. Thorne trophy is Edward C. Welch re-entered the
presented each year to the Western building to rescue the sterling silver
Amateur champion. On the base of the trophy, on display for the Western
trophy are plates with the names of all Amateur Championship to be held
previous champions, and the newest later in the week.
champion’s name is added after the
Without this courageous act, future
championship is concluded. The trophy
Western Amateur winners such as
is permanently displayed at Western
Chandler Egan (who went on to win the
Golf Association headquarters in
1904 tournament, still held at Exmoor),
Glenview, Illinois. The champion
Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods, would
receives a second trophy for his
not have had the opportunity to hold
permanent possession.
and raise this beautiful trophy in their
The trophy honors George R. Thorne, championship moments.
the WGA’s first treasurer in 1899 and the
WGA’s second president in 1900–1901.

WINNERS, 2021–1899 2015 20 holes 2007 1 up
Year Score Dawson Armstrong Aaron Wise Jhared Hack Alex Prugh
Winner Runner-up 2014 2 up 2006 2 and 1
Beau Hossler Xander Schauffele Bronson La’Cassie Pablo Martin
2021 4 and 3 2013 3 and 2 2005 3 and 2
Michael Thorbjornsen Gordon Sargent Jordan Niebrugge Sean Dale Jamie Lovemark Chris Wilson
2020 2 and 1 2012 1 up 2004 19 holes
Pierceson Coody RasmusNeergaard-Petersen Chris Williams Jordan Russell Ryan Moore James Nitties
2019 3 and 2 2011 1 up 2003 3 and 2
Garrett Rank Daniel Wetterich Ethan Tracy Patrick Cantlay Chris Botsford J.J. Jakovac
2018 1 up 2010 2 and 1 2002 6 and 5
Cole Hammer Davis Riley David Chung Gregor Main John Klauk Adam Rubinson
2017 22 holes 2009 3 and 2 2001 6 and 4
Norman Xiong Doc Redman John Hahn Zach Barlow Bubba Dickerson Trip Kuehne
2016 3 and 1 2008 4 and 2 2000 2 and 1
Dylan Meyer Sam Horsfield Danny Lee Erik Flores Michael Kirk Ben Curtis

2022 Western Amateur Championship Western Amateur Championship History 31