What to know: The FedExCup trophy

The PGA TOUR entered a new era in 2007 with the introduction of the FedExCup, a season-long competition culminating with the PGA TOUR’s first Playoff system and $35 million in annual bonus money.

Tiffany & Co. is the designer of the FedExCup trophy. The goal of greatness is crafted into every detail of this valued award.

Interesting facts:

• The FedExCup was first awarded in 2007.

• A sterling silver spun cup, 15 inches in diameter, is balanced on a solid titanium golf ball resting on an eight-sided base etched with the FedExCup logo.

• The handles trace the arc of a golf swing and are attached to the cup and the ball in a marriage of perfect proportion and symmetry.

• The perpetual trophy is 21.5 inches high, weighs 33 pounds and features an ebonized 8.5-inch-high wood base with eight applied sterling silver panels. Together the panels provide space for engraving 48 years worth of future champion’s names.

• The keeper trophy, awarded to the FedExCup Champion, is 13.25-inch-high and will be engraved with their name.

• The trophies are crafted at Tiffany & Co.’s sterling silver workshop in Rhode Island and take approximately six months to create.

• Master artisans employ age-old silversmithing techniques – spinning, hand engraving, finishing and polishing – to create the trophies.

Tiffany & Co. creates awards for many of the world’s greatest sporting events. Among them are the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the National Football League, the National Basketball Association Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, Major League Baseball World Series Trophy, and the U.S. Open Tennis Championship Trophies. Inspired by the transcendent form and energy of competition, these outstanding Tiffany designs are a lasting tribute to the athletes’ dedication and the highest standards of excellence.

Fast Facts

• Each year, the FedExCup champion's name is etched into the trophy by Tiffany's Master Engraver.

• A Tiffany Master Engraver must have a vast knowledge of all styles and techniques associated with Hand Engraving. They can engrave any jewelry, timepiece, hollowware or presentation object in silver, gold or platinum. They are responsible for guiding potential Hand Engravers through the apprentice program and must have the ability to educate the staff by sharing their expertise.

• Tiffany has two dozen Hand Engravers, four of whom are Master Engravers.

The Art of Hand Engraving Facts

• Tiffany's hand engraving technique has been passed down from master engraver to apprentice since the days of founder Charles Lewis Tiffany.

• The technique takes years to master and allows artisans to create one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from simple lettering to elaborate picture work.

• Hand engraving is the carving out of metal. Unlike machine engraving, which simply pushes the metal aside, hand engraving removes the metal which makes the design more permanent.

• The merchandise is first secured in a custom made support. A white gauche paint is applied to the area to be engraved and allowed to dry.

• The engraver then paints the chosen design on the prepared area with a fine brush. This "sketch" allows the engraver to work out the appropriate size and placement of the engraving without marking the metal underneath.

• Once the engraver is comfortable with the paint sketch, a soft lead pencil is used to refine and enhance the details of the design.

• A metal scriber is then used to outline the pencil drawing and mark the underlying metal. These lines will serve as guidelines for the next step.

• The metal is carved with tempered steel tools called "gravers." The engraver makes each individual cut by following the scribe lines and "builds" the letter by carving away the metal with the appropriate tool.

• A single letter may require four separate tools and dozens of cuts. When the engraver feels the engraving is complete, the piece is hand polished to a beautiful, mirror-like finish.