trophy
Catalog Number
1992.36.5Description
Trophy, Amateur National Waterski Tournament Champion, brown wood with metal, gold-colored eagles on the base, metal, gold-colored plaques on the base and a metal, gold-colored figurine on the top.Engraved on the plaque in front are the names Charles R. Sligh, Jr. and Lewis H. Withey III. The plaque on the side lists the name Robert L. Sligh.
History
Charles R. "Chuck" Sligh, Jr. (1906-1997) was born in Grand Rapids, MI on 1-8-1906. He married Charlotte Klumph (1904-1964) in 1926.Chuck purchased his first pair of water skis in 1935. He was water skiing's National Amateur Champion in 1940, followed by National Open Men's Champion in 1941.
He founded the Macatawa Water Ski Club, teaching numerous kids to water ski.
It was ca. 1938 that he co-founded the Charles R. Sligh Company in Holland, MI. In 1940 he co-founded the Sligh-Lowry Furniture Company in Zeeland, MI.
Chuck's boys, Charles Sligh III (1928-2010) and Robert L. Sligh (1928-2012), donated the items in 1992.36.