5 Most Unique and Bizarre Sports Trophies
When you think of a trophy, you probably think of a glistening cup or a shimmering figurine in an active pose atop an ornate pedestal. As such coveted awards, trophies generally have a dignified air about them. But did you know that the vast world of sports trophies has some truly unique and downright bizarre trophies to bestow upon its victors?
Canuck Amusements and Merchandising Ltd., a trophy provider in Calgary, has compiled a list of five of the most bizarre trophies presented in sports.
The Castello Masters Trophy
You probably wouldn’t expect a golfer who has won the Castello Masters, an annual European golf tournament, to be given a trophy dubbed “Mr. Potato Head,” but that just so happens to be a fitting moniker for the Castello Masters trophy. Awarded since the inception of the tournament in 2008, this funny-looking little guy grasps a golf club in one hand and happily flashes a “thumbs up” with the other. The trophy has become the tournament’s unofficial mascot and it’s memorable for being slightly goofy.
The Rolex Paris Masters (Tennis) Trophy
A unique tree-shaped object is what winners of the Rolex Paris Masters (formerly called the Paris Masters) get to take home. The metal trophy, called “Tree of Fanti” and named after Italian artist Lucio Fanti, features tree branches engraved with the tournament’s history; the trunk sports the winner’s names. Fanti’s inspiration came from seeing a tennis tournament draw upside down, which resembled a tree. While not the weirdest trophy ever handed to tennis tournament winners, the trophy is truly unique and bizarre.
The Warne-Muralidaran Trophy
From the 2007-08 season onwards, the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy has been awarded to the winner of the Australia-Sri Lanka Test cricket series. This trophy makes many “bizarre trophy” lists because it prominently features casts of two hands, making it a little surprising at first glance. However, once you learn that the casts come from two of the greatest cricket bowlers of all time, the trophy seems rather apt. The trophy’s design ties the award directly to the legacies of the two players it’s named after, rather than just marking a win.
The LPGA KEB-HanaBank Championship Trophy
Another bizarre trophy, which you wouldn’t expect to be awarded after winning a major sporting event, comes to us from the world of golf once again. For winning the LPGA KEB-HanaBank Championship in South Korea, golfers get to take home a wine cooler that appears to have a wooden paddle of some sort sticking out of the top. The trophy’s look stands out and is unconventional – but that’s the point.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup at Martinsville Speedway Trophy
Finally, one of the most unique trophies in the sporting world is the seven-foot-tall grandfather clock, awarded to the winner of the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Martinsville Speedway. Though it may be enormous, NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers absolutely love taking home the Martinsville Speedway clock. First presented to race winner Fred Larenzen in 1964, the clock trophy was inspired by the track’s founder, who wanted to pay tribute to the clock companies in Martinsville. Ridgeway Clocks came up with the grandfather clock idea as a trophy for the race.
What Local Organizers Can Learn From These Trophies
Choosing a custom design for your next event is a great idea. Why? It’s more memorable than a generic trophy or award that no one will ever talk about or remember – and may end up stashed away in a desk drawer collecting dust.
The unusual trophies already mentioned represent something about the event’s identity; “Mr Potato Head” became a nickname for the trophy, while the grandfather clock was reminiscent of the city’s many clock shop owners. People remember the reason the bizarre trophies were created in the first place. Your award, trophy, or plaque can be a nod to a city, a person, or part of the location’s community or culture.
The good news is you don’t need a seven-foot grandfather clock or a metal tree to wow your winners. Create something that is extraordinary for your event, and it will likely always be remembered as a special, and maybe even bizarre, trophy for years to come.
Beautiful Trophies in Calgary for Your Sport
While these bizarre, unique trophies are fun to look at and read about, chances are you may want to offer more traditional and elegant trophies to the winner of your sporting event or competition. At Canuck Amusements, we provide a variety of beautiful trophies in Calgary that can make the perfect award.
Check out our guide on ordering custom awards and trophies in Calgary to see how easy it is to make your next event a success.
If you have an upcoming event to prepare for and you’ve got any questions about our selection of awards and trophies, contact Canuck Amusements today.
