A trophy that left Andalusia in 1948 was returned to the Andalusia Country Club this week.

The trophy was a gift of J.G. Scherf to the Andalusia County Club in 1939. Scherf gave the trophy to be awarded to the winner of the annual to the Andalusia Country Club Invitational. The winner would return the trophy to the Andalusia Country Club each year so that the trophy could be awarded to the next winner. However, Scherf stipulated that if someone won the trophy three times, he would “retire” the trophy and have permanent possession.

Montgomery investment banker Weldon Doe Jr. did just that – retiring the trophy after winning in 1940, 1941 and 1948.

Doe was among the premier amateur golfers in the Southeast from the mid 1930s through the mid 1950s. He won his first tournament in Tuskegee in 1935 at age 17. His last win at the Andalusia Country Club was in 1952.

Doe also was the founder and owner of Montgomery’s Bonnie Crest Country Club.

Doe died in 2011 and his wife decided that after 65 years it was time to return the trophy to Andalusia.

The tournament dates back to 1932, when Abner Powell, won the tournament at age 15. The elder Powell’s son, local attorney Ab Powell, said he still has the cup his father won in that first tournament.

Winners of the Scherf trophy in the Andalusia Invitational:
• 1939 – Stirling Hamilton of Greenville
• 1940 – Weldon Doe Jr.
• 1941 – Weldon Doe Jr.
• 1942 – Abner Powell of Andalusia
• 1946 – Jack Studstill of Andalusia
• 1947 – Col. Jim Wilson of Maxwell AFB
• 1948 – Weldon Doe Jr.

Current golf pro Howard Battey said the Andalusia Invitational continues, and is held in April or May. Some years, he said, the club still awards a trophy. Several other trophies from years gone by are already in the club’s trophy case, Battey said.