The trophy the golfers at Oak Hill have been playing for this week is engraved with over 100 years of history. The Wanamaker Trophy had a tour of its own leading up to this year’s PGA Championship. 

Thousands of golf fans got to see the Wanamaker Trophy at dozens of locations around Rochester and Western New York in the months leading up to the PGA. The tour was all part of selling the event — and generating a buzz.

Everyone who walks onto the grounds of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill knows what’s happening. Less may be known about the trophy the pros are playing for.

The trophy is behind the image that’s seen all over the course this year. It’s a trophy that for most of the past year has been under Wes Simian’s watchful eye.

Simian is the ticket sales and marketing manager for the championship. What better way to market the PGA — than use the Wanamaker Trophy as a centerpiece?

“I don't think that we've really used the Wanamaker Trophy in marketing-type capacity the way we have for 2023,” said Simian.

Several times in the weeks leading up to the PGA, Simian and his crew have taken the Wanamaker trophy on a Rochester area tour.

“I mean we're talking about arguably one of the most iconic trophies in a major championship golf and also professional sports,” he said. “Rather than collecting dust or just sitting there waiting for the next time to come out of the box, I think we've really given it a chance to live here in Rochester and really just connect and be a part of the community.

This includes places like a food truck rodeo at the Rochester Public Market, where good food wasn’t the only thing being served up. It was an opportunity to experience the greatness engraved in the piece, named after the department store heir instrumental in forming the PGA of America. It’s a chance to pose for photos; everyone’s small shot — at immortality.

“This is a golf town here,” said Simian. “And frankly, one week in the middle of May is not enough time to celebrate a major championship, golf’s return to Rochester.”

It’s a scene that’s repeated itself. The Wanamaker has experienced the home of Rochester’s garbage plate, crossed clubs with some of the Flower City’s other sports, and has experienced some of the best views all over town. It’s part of a tour that Simian says helped sell every single ticket available for the 2023 PGA.

“In my role, it's multi-dimensional in terms of marketing and then selling as well,” he said. “So, you know, mission accomplished.”

Well, not quite. The only thing left is to deliver the Wanamaker Trophy to this year’s champion. The winner generally gets to keep the Wanamaker Trophy for a few weeks. Last year's winner, Justin Thomas, told a story about drinking beer out of the trophy with buddies. Then it will be shipped to Louisville, the site of the 2024 PGA Championship.

“You really don't have an idea of the undertaking until really you've gone through it,” said Simian. “So we’re excited to bring this one home.”