Champion Hale Irwin's 1979 US Open at Inverness Contestant Badge
Issued at check-in to Hale Irwin by the United States Golf Association governing body signifying player designation was this 1979 US Open contestant badge housing the paper nameplate exhibiting 'H. Irwin' written in clear black marker across it. It would be before the trophy, medal, $50,000 check and before that name was preceded with the title of '1979 US Open Champion.' While Irwin wasn't simply just a contestant, already a 10-time Tour winner including the 1974 US Open, his fate in that week's tournament had yet to be determined. Until then, he took this contestant badge and went to work. In keeping with the United States Golf Association's tournament contestant badge design of the time, the rounded top with a crimson red enamel halo encircling the Great Seal in shallow relief. 'Open Golf Championship - United States Golf Association' notates the premier tournament designation.
The USGA titled Hale Irwin's headlining feat appropriately: 'Irwin Two-Time Man at Toledo.' Windblown and trying was the Inverness Golf Club Toledo, Ohio track that weekend. And while champion Irwin's final round of 75 was by no means the lowest by a US Open champion describing it in a way only Hale could "(he) hacked it around today", he had just become a multiple-time champion at the major tournament. Not a single entrant of the field broke par, with Irwin's winning even par 284 stroke total just as the prized course architect Donald Ross envisioned it. Two strokes lower than two runner-up former US Open champions Gary Player and Jerry Pate. Excellent condition, paralleling its issued state, this contestant badge is more - the very contestant badge that was presented to champion Hale Irwin for his 1979 US Open victory.
A signed letter of provenance from Hale Irwin will come with this lot.
The Hale Irwin Collection
One of only six three-time US Open champions in the USGA tournament's rich history, Hale won twenty times on the PGA Tour. The worthy 1992 World Golf Hall of Famer notched another forty-five PGA Champions Tour wins. Surprise to noone, the five-time United States Ryder Cup Team member lifted the trophy on each occasion, later showcasing his experience at the 1994 Presidents Cup as a playing captain. Irwin preceded his professional career with an NCAA individual golf championship in 1967 while also playing football at the University of Colorado, staying stateside for his undergraduate schooling.
Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Hale Irwin; These are the only men that have won the USGA's prized US Open Championship three or more times since its inception in 1895. The list six long is cut to two that have accomplished the feat in the last three decades. Hale's third USGA triumph would come in 1990, 11 years after his second and he would become the oldest US Open champion at 45 years and 15 days old. This would break Ryder Cup teammate Ray Floyd's mark set in 1986 by 15 months
Hale Irwin would soon find a new home away from home; a vacation spot in which he handled his business. Maybe it found him. Aloha! 'Hale' in the native language means 'house' or 'home.' Maui Island's Kapalua Resort would be added to Irwin's visor, shirt and bag after finding great success in the state of Hawaii and capturing what the natives call the 'Aloha Spirit.' It began with a 1981 Hawaiian Open win on the PGA Tour prior to going on a state golfing run that few will ever duplicate. "In his first 21 Champions Tour events in Hawaii, Irwin finished either first or second 11 times. In his career he has won nearly $2.5 million in 28 events and he’s a cumulative 226-under par in those tournaments with an average score of 69.15," the PGA Tour website marveled. A slice of Hale Irwin's magnificent golfing career is told in this auction through artifacts from his personal collection in which he has generously offered in this auction. The Golf Auction says ohoiho (enjoy)!
The Golf Auction is proud to present our 2023 July Golf Memorabilia Auction Featuring the Hale Irwin Collection. Please utilize the categories column to help you navigate towards your preferred collectibles. Bids must be placed before 10pm ET, Sunday, July 23rd in order to participate in extended bidding. Please note that all initial bids must be placed BEFORE 10pm ET
AUCTION CLOSING RULES:
Place your bids NOW! The auction will close at 10:00pm ET Sunday, July 23rd. You must agree to the terms BEFORE confirming your initial bid. During extended bidding, all lots will have their own 30-minute countdown clock. The clock will extend 30-minutes from the time of the most recently placed bid for that lot. If no bids are placed on that lot for a 30-minute period, the lot will close. Place your bids now!
1. Place your initial bids BEFORE 10pm ET in order to bid on the item in extended bidding
2. During extended bidding, you may bid only on items you PREVIOUSLY placed a bid on.
3. Lots with only ONE or NO BIDS will close at 10pm ET
Extended bidding starts at 10pm ET, and all lots will begin closing with their own 30-minute countdown clock. Lots without a bid placed during extended bidding will close at 10:30pm ET. We recommend you place your maximum bid(s) prior to that time. Thank you
Please Note: TGA will charge the Bidder/Buyer of the Item(s) a commission (Buyer’s Premium) of nineteen and one-half percent (19.5%) on the successful and final bid price of each of the Item(s) or lot(s) won. No discounts apply. No returns. TGA is not responsible for customs, duties, brokerage and/or similar charges on items shipped internationally. Placement of a bid in this auction constitutes acceptance of all of the terms and conditions in this auction. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.