2022 January Memorabilia Auction - Closing Date 02/06/2022
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2022
Demaret, Mangrum, Burke & Middlecoff Teaching Bob Hope Alex J. Morrison Photo
World Golf Hall of Famer Bob Hope didn't get there by way of his golf swing. This humorous Alex Morrison photo captures Hope getting extensive hands on swing tips by legendary golfers by the names of Jimmy Demaret, Lloyd Mangrum, Jack Burke, and Carry Middlecoff. "Photo by Alex J. Morrison N.Y. Please Credit," is stamped on the bottom of the verso. The major winning golfers in this shot are depicted further, as this description is continued. 8" x 10."
It is interesting to ponder that Jimmy Demaret had won the Masters already three times in his career before Ben Hogan ever claimed a green jacket. With his wins in 1940, 1947 and 1950, Demaret became the first three time Masters champion.
Mangrum, with movie star good looks was a member of the "Texas Gang" that rode out of the hardscrabble caddie yards to plunder the PGA tour in it's first Golden Age, along with Jimmy Demaret, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. He joined the Tour in 1937 and quickly established himself setting the course record of 64 in his first round of play ever at the Masters in 1940. This score would not be matched until Jack Nicklaus carded it in the 1960's. Duty to country fighting under General Patton in the second World War saw Mangrum fight bravely at the Battle of the Bulge and earn two Purple Hearts. This only slowed his golf career as he returned better then ever, winning the 1946 US Open. The win at the Open in 1946 was only the start of greatness as he would go on to win 30 more times on Tour for his career total of 36 wins, the 12th most wins ever by a player in his career. In 1951, Mangrum led the PGA money list. He earned the Vardon Trophy in both 1951 and 1953 with the lowest seasonal scoring average on Tour. An excellent Ryder Cup performer, Mangrum appeared in four matches highlighted by his role as player/captain in the 10th ever matches in 1953. His career has twice been recognized with the highest honor with induction into the PGA Hall of Fame in 1964 and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1998.
Cary Middlecoff won the 1956 US Open The 1956 win was Middlecoff's second US Open win, having won in 1949. In addition to Middlecoff's two US Open victories he was also the Masters Champion in 1955 and following his career he was elected to The World Golf hall of Fame
Bob Hope, British-born American entertainer and comic actor known for his rapid-fire delivery of jokes and one-liners and for his success in virtually all entertainment media. He was also known for his decades of overseas USO tours to entertain U.S. troops, and he received numerous awards and honors for his work as an entertainer and humanitarian.
Esteemed golf instructor Alex Morrison was behind many impressive game's, likely none more than that of Henry Picard's. The lineage to the Golden Bear is simple and complex, as Picard then taught Jack Grout, who taught Jack Nicklaus. Morrison was behind all of it, and much more as his teachings were in numerous books and newspapers for the masses. His reach in the golf industry went further, as Morrison became an acclaimed photographer and writer, each of which could have been his sole profession. Here is an original Morrison photo, with the influential figure the eye behind the camera that took it.
Click above for larger image.