Bob Rosburg's 1959 PGA Championship at Minneapolis GC Winner's 14k Gold Medal

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This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2021

Bob Rosburg's 1959 PGA Championship at Minneapolis GC Winner's 14k Gold Medal

Bob Rosburg with a brilliant final round of 66 claimed the 1959 PGA Championship over a crowded field of challengers that included Hall of Famers Dow Finsterwald, Ken Venturi, Cary Middlecoff and Sam Snead all within five strokes of the final winning score of 277. Rosburg's major triumph was claimed at the Minneapolis Golf Club which played extremely tough that day with winds reaching 21 miles per hour. For overcoming the star studded field and adverse conditions, Rosburg received this spectacular Championship 14K gold medal with diamond insert we offer in this lot. The medal is stamped "14k" on the edge and pictures a golfer in full swing on obverse along with a winged victory figure holding a laurel wreath. A single .15 carat diamond is inset at the top of reverse above a detailed golf landscape, a set of clubs and the text, "The Professional Golfers' Association of America Championship, Winner 1959." The medal measures 1.75" in diameter and weighs 1.8 ounces. It remains in similar condition to the day the Championship was won. Accompanying this cherished Major Championship award is a deluxe frame, which should the recipient wish can tastefully display this centerpiece of a distinguished golf collection.

Bob Rosburg's Distinguished Golf Career

Bob Rosburg an outstanding golfer and baseball player at Stanford, was a member of that school's 1946 National Championship golf team. After leaving Stanford and turning professional in 1953, he became one of the most consistent golfers during his twenty year professional career. When he retired as an active player, Rosburg became a widely acclaimed golf commentator for ABC television. Rosburg was born in San Francisco on October 21, 1926. An accomplished golfer at an early age with a hole in one at seven, Rosburg frequently played at such famed courses as Cypress Point and the Olympic Club. While playing as a 12 year old in San Francisco at Olympic, Rosburg defeated the legendary baseball great Ty Cobb 7 and 6 in the first flight of the 1938 club championship. Graduating to the pro ranks he won ten professional titles, including six PGA tour wins. His career defining moment came when he won the PGA Championship in 1959, coming from six shots back in the last round for a victory he described as his most memorable in golf. "Rosie" was also a constant threat at the United States Open competition finishing second at the U.S. Open in 1959, losing to Billy Casper by one stroke, and tying for second at the 1969 U.S. Open while notching a third place finish at the 1971 U.S. Open. Rosburg's other memorable professional moments were a win at the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am in 1961 and claiming the 1958 honor of the Vardon Trophy for the lowest average score. He was a member of the 1959 Ryder Cup team, where he went 2-0 for the United States. He had the honor of hitting the first tee shot that year for the U.S. side.

After retiring from active competition, Rosburg became a widely respected announcer for ABC television. His television career spanned more than 30 years, and he won acclaim as the first roving announcer in the game for the broadcaster who was known as one of the great storytellers in golf.

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