2021 April Golf Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/12/2021
Prototype Karsten Mfg. Co. Jackie Gleason 'From the PING Dynasty' Beryllium Copper Zero with Letter
Now here is an exciting club that not many have seen over the past 25+ years. This mid 1970's prototype beryllium copper Jackie Gleason personal Zero putter was last available in the industry during the mid 1990's. Accompanying this rare offering is a letter from PING company historian Dawn Wingert. Upon receiving the putter and inspecting it while speaking with others, the following is stated:
The head of your ZERO is beryllium copper. We probably put "Jackie Gleason" and "PING" on the face, but we're not sure if we etched "from the" and "dynasty". According to John and Allan Solheim, the shaft in your Zero is left over from the early 60's, when we used it in a few sets of our 69 irons. The black sheen on the shaft was a process that True Temper did in the chrome plating. The copper Zero was probably not made for production or for a tee price at a tournament, and so if we did make more than one, we only made very small numbers. Since your Zero says "patent pending", I think it was made in the mid-70's. I'm assuming a couple of things: 1) that we filed for a patent on the Zero shortly after it was invented (we filed in '74); and 2) that we changed the molds as soon as we received that patent (1976). I'm assuming it was made before the patent was actually granted."
A close friend of Karsten Solheim, the comedian Gleason had at one time requested some golden sticks. Everything Jackie owned had to be gold, and in fact, his idea of gold clubs inspired Karsten to develop the gold putter vault. The letter does shy away from making direct claims regarding the origins of this unique club, but most believe after inspecting the markings, stamping, size, etc that this club was made for a very special client. A truly rare speciman from the "PING Dynasty". Meaures 35"
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