2019 November Golf Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/24/2019
1935 US Open at Oakmont CC Contestant Badge in Very Good Condition - Sam Parks Jr Winner
Presented here is a remarkable example of a rarity that is the 1935 US Open contestants pin. Roughly only 100 of these were struck, per year, for players in the field. The 1935 Championship was contested at Oakmont Country Club some 20 miles outside Pittsburgh, Pa. It marked the second time the USGA had staged the event at Oakmont. A layout that was recognized as the nonpareil of penal golf course design. The 1935 Open produced a predictable high score of 299. What was not predictable was that Sam Parks Jr.,a 25-year-old local pro from Pittsburgh, would best the likes of his teacher Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, Denny Schute, Byron Nelson, Tommy Armour and the rest of the field. This historical pin remains in nearly in the same state as when originally issued, grading in very good condition. The white enamel at top which contains the designation "CONTESTANT" and the circular bright blue description of the event "U.S.G.A. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP JUNE 6,7,8" both retain there original luster against the backdrop of the gold facing of the pin. Also found on the face of this relic in an embossed fashion are "1935" and "USGA". On the reverse of the gold plate is stamped "ROBBINS CO ATTLLUOHO". A must have for any advanced contestants pin collection. Pin has a 1" width and 1 1/4" height.
Rod Munday Collection
A contemporary of Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, and Paul Runyan, Rod Munday traveled the same proving ground as many of the touring and club professionals in a career that spanned over 50 years. His friendship with those individuals and fellow teaching professionals lasted throughout his life as a pro golfer that started in Northern California and ended in Pennsylvania. Rod competed in many pro tournaments including both the 1940 and 1946 Masters Tournaments. He frequently qualified for and played in the PGA Championship from the 1930’s through the early 1960’s, and competed in the 1934, 1935, 1946, and 1947 US Open. If a putt would have fallen one way or another, Munday could have been a golfer that was mentioned in the same sentence as the legendary golfers of his day.
Munday, a World War II army vet who received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, was the preferred teaching professional for many celebrities and dignitaries, none larger than President and General Dwight D Eisenhower. Eisenhower became Rod’s #1 pupil at the Gettysburg Country Club in Pennsylvania. Munday was just as much a personal friend to these larger than life figures as a golf instructor. Many of the leading tour players such as 1941 Masters champion Craig Wood, considered Rod Munday one of the top putting minds of the 1950’s. Horton Smith, Byron Nelson, Henry Cotton, Jack Grout, and Gene Sarazen all kept in contact with Munday over the years. The allure to play exhibitions at Munday’s clubs at Highland Meadows in Toledo, Ohio and the Country Club of York in Pennsylvania was there for many, including visits and fundraisers attended by one of his closest friends, Ben Hogan.
The Golf Auction is proud to offer the Rod Munday Collection, helping to tell the story of the man himself.AUCTION CLOSING RULES:
This auction will end at 9:00pm EST Sunday, November 24th with EXTENDED BIDDING to follow. All items that have received multiple bids in the auction will remain open until no items have received a bid within a 15 minute time period (at 10pm EST, the countdown clock will be adjusted to a 5 minute interval). Place your bids now!
1. You must place your initial bids BEFORE extended bidding begins in order to bid on the item in extended bidding
2. During extended bidding, you are allowed to bid only on items you PREVIOUSLY placed a bid on.
3. All lots that are active in extended bidding will close at the same time, and those with only ONE or NO BIDS will close at 9pm EST
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