2020 June Auction Highlighted by Caddies For A Cause Benefit
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2020
1999 Ryder Cup United States Team Shirt Signed by Captain Ben Crenshaw
Featured in this lot is the article of clothing that is simply referred to as 'The Shirt' in the golfing community signed and inscribed by the US Captain and ultimately team apparel decision maker Ben Crenshaw in gold. It's what success looked like when in 1999 when the US Team captained by Ben Crenshaw came back from a 10-6 Saturday deficit. The burgundy shirts were designed by Jeff Rose & Co with Burlwood and silver framed winning US Ryder Cup teams from the past 60 years throughout the shirt front and back. The production total to the shirt that was never retailed is a scant 33, which were given to players and officials of the 1999 Ryder Cup. The story of how this unique shirt came to be that of golf attire legend is expanded upon in the Preston Piermattei Collection text below. Also has signed photo presented below the shirt within the framed display. Shirt produced by Jeff Rose. Inscription 'To Preston, We did it! - Ben Crenshaw Captain'. James Spence Authentication (JSA) has reviewed this signature and their auction letter of authenticity comes with this lot.
PRESTON PIERMATTEI COLLECTION
When clothier Bobby Jones put a blue shirt designed with photographs of their namesake all over it in Ben Crenshaw's closet, they knew the chances that it would be in his tournament rotation were either slim or none. A major victory - falling much closer to the latter. After all it had been 11 years since the conservative blue and white striped polo won the 1984 Masters Tournament. After enduring one of the hardest weeks in his life emotionally with the passing of his coach, mentor and friend Harvey Penick the Texan was improbably tied for the lead after three rounds at Augusta National. The CBS cameras would be following his every move the next day. Looking good and playing even better was plan. A team of select family members, an individual named Preston Piermattei and Preston's 'trained' eye reminded Ben that he likely would not be leading the Masters after three rounds again. The often calculated and recently persuaded Crenshaw reached for the shirt, not 'The Shirt,' but more on that later. As predicted the shirt with little rhyme or reason to the design, other than combining geometrical shapes and black and white photographs of Bobby Jones, brought him good luck in 1995.
Established golf clothing industry professional Preston Piermattei continued his strong professional relationship with Ben Crenshaw and received an interesting call from his then friend, who four years later would have the duties of picking out the United States Ryder Cup attire. Crenshaw simply asked the now Jeff Rose & Co. representative if he could make a "Ryder Cup evolution to that shirt," as he was looking for more good luck. Many know the story of the heroic comeback in the 1999 Ryder Cup commonly referred to as the 'Battle of Brookline.' Down 10-6 heading into the last day Crenshaw, coincidentally wearing a plain striped shirt under a vest, said at the podium "I'm going to leave y'all with one thought, then I'm going to leave. I'm a big believer in fate. I have a good feeling about this."
Sunday the full US Team broke out the Jeff Rose & Co. burgundy shirts with Burlwood and silver framed winning US Ryder Cup teams from the past 60 years throughout the shirt front and back. The following day on September 28, 1999 the Boston Globe did a story titled 'US Players Wore Look of Champion.' Due to the attention it received from the media, fans and players it was forever named in the golfing community 'The Shirt.' With neither the 1995 Masters or 1999 Ryder Cup shirts being well accepted by the masses, the designs never hit the racks of a pro shop or sold to the public as a business decision. Preston, Nice choice and it worked!" Ben Crenshaw wrote on the 1995 blue example that Piermattei had him sign to remember that moment that both Piermattei and Crenshaw will cherish forever. After it was all said and done approximately 33 1999 Ryder Cup shirts going to the players and officials and much fewer of the 1995 Bobby Jones Masters shirt. That lengthy story adds to 'The Shirt' from the 1999 Ryder Cup lore. The Golf Auction is proud to offer Preston Piermattei's collection to the public, as his story played a part in Ryder Cup and golf history.
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