I have a question about older tournaments

[Wisconsin Golfer]

I read DOWN THE FAIRWAY by BOBBY JONES, a great book, however it ends before his grand slam. So, I started reading THE BOBBY JONES STORY by O. B. KEELER, an awesome book and alot more detailed.
The question that I have is, in both books during tournaments, they talk about a medal winner and then the tournament champion. What is the difference?

[tjy355]

Not 100% sure, but guessing that back in those days, many tournaments were match play. Prior to the match play start, there is usually a couple rounds of stroke play to pare the field to 64 and seed the matches. I'm guessing the medal winner was the low score of the play in. (?)

[Fourputt]

Not 100% sure, but guessing that back in those days, many tournaments were match play. Prior to the match play start, there is usually a couple rounds of stroke play to pare the field to 64 and seed the matches. I'm guessing the medal winner was the low score of the play in. (?)

I think this is right. In the big match play tournaments like the US Amateur the regional qualifiers are medal (stroke) play, and the first rounds are also at stroke play to shrink the field down to the number for the match brackets. I don't know if they start the match brackets at 128 or 64 players, but the low score of those qualifying for match play would likely be the Medal winner. That player would also be the #1 seed in the bracketing.

[Wisconsin Golfer]

Thank you guys.