Robert G. Ferris Memorial Trophy

In 1970, Mrs. Robert G. Ferris donated this silver urn to Lake Geneva Yacht Club as a perpetual trophy for the M-16 Class. It was rededicated in 2007 as a trophy for a championship series race in the Melges-24 Class. Robert Ferris, who joined the Yacht Club in 1921, served as commodore in 1954 and 1955. After the ILYA authorized an experimental class in 1950, Bob Ferris and Harry Melges Sr. worked together to develop new ideas, designs, and rig/hull improvements. In the 1953 yearbook, what was called the Experimental Class included five boats (Melges, Ferris, Bruce Armstrong, William Reier, Billy Grunow); in the 1954 yearbook, the M-16 Class made its first appearance in the Yacht Club’s fleet listings, and in addition to the above names included Andrew Smith and Kenneth Porter.

• 1971 Terry Leahy
• 1972 No race
• 1973 Jane Pegel
• 1974 Henry Bossett
• 1975 Jane Pegel
• 1976 Jane Pegel
• 1977 Brian Porter
• 1978 Lars Brunk
• 1979 Bill Schultz
• 1980 Jane Pegel
• 1981 Jane Pegel
• 1982 Jane Pegel
• 1983 Jane Pegel
• 1984 Garry Winter
• 1985 Jeff Baker
• 1986 Kate Goes
• 1987 Jane Pegel
• 1988 Jane Pegel
• 1989 Jane Pegel
• 1990 Jane Pegel
• 1991 Jane Pegel
• 1992 Jane Pegel
• 1993 Erich Schloemer
• 1994 Jane Pegel
• 1995 Jane Pegel
• 1996 Androv Carlson
• 1997 Jane Pegel
• 1998 – 2006 [not awarded]
• 2007 Brian Porter
• 2008 John Kivlin
• 2009 Frank Davenport
• 2010 Elizabeth Harned
• 2011 Donald C. Holst
• 2012 Donald C. Holst
• 2013 Frank A. Davenport/Jordan E. Gray
  
• 2014 Dave Weinburg
• 2015 R.J and Brian Porter
• 2016 Steve Boho
• 2017 No Race
• 2018 R.J. Porter
• 2019 Tom Freytag
• 2020 No Race
• 2021 Harry Melges IV
• 2022 Charles R. Lamphere
• 2023 No Race