Historic Augusta National Hole #14 (today) Plans Signed by Alister MacKenzie with Handwritten Notes - JSA & PSA - Last Known
The Golf Auction is proud to bring you a golf artifact that has not seen the light of day for nearly 90 years. Presented here is the last known historic museum quality plan of Augusta National signed by Alister MacKenzie with his personal handwritten notes featuring the 14th (5th today) hole which was built upon Fruitland Nurseries in tribute to the famous Road Hole (#17) at The Old Course St. Andrews. According to MacKenzie’s own notes, as detailed by him on this map, this hole was designed to mirror the 17th at St. Andrews and the result is a golf hole of majestic beauty and challenging play. This is one of two such maps of Augusta National known to exist. The origins began in the early 1930’s with MacKenzie’s right hand man and Augusta National Chief Engineer, Wendell P. Miller. Only one other hole drawing such as this original includes MacKenzie’s signature, notations, and handwritten notes exists (holes #12 & 13 today) and The Golf Auction sold that original in our 2021 December Auction.
Not only is this treasure signed by Dr. MacKenzie, he added the inscription “Alister MacKenzie, golf course architect” More amazingly, Dr. MacKenzie personally added detailed hand notes and thoughts on routing and play at the famous 14th Hole (now Hole 5), also stating its similarity to the Road Hole. This composite map will surely claim its rightful spot in the upper echelon of golf’s historical finds. As many are aware, the front and back nines at Augusta National were switched following the Augusta National Invitational Tournament in 1934. These plans are from the early stages of the courses development, dating to approximately 1931 as they show the early workings and ideas of MacKenzie, Bobby Jones and Wendell P. Miller. This document details the hole as a par 5, and not as a Par 4 as we know it today. The yardage is listed at a range of 455-470 yards. The 5th Hole at Augusta National is known today to golf connoisseurs as simply, “Magnolia.” Here is your chance to acquire a document that stands shoulder to shoulder with some of sports most magnificent documents.
MacKenzies handwritten notes regarding the hole are listed below, and his reference to St. Andrews as well. He wrote:
Fourteen:
This is a similar hole to the famous 17th road hole at St. Andrews, Scotland
The green is on a plateau and the player who hugs the woods has
a visible shot, the player who avoids the woods steers wide
of the bunkers has a blind approach
A.M.
Also of note are the small designs and notes declaring “add 2 B’s (bunkers) 3-Hills, 1-Hillock and even a drawing of a small hillock/hill. This piece originated from Wendell P. Miller, Chief Engineer responsible for overseeing the building of the Augusta National golf course starting in 1931. He worked alongside Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie during the construction of the course, as well as assisting on other MacKenzie's designs around the globe. A prominent Golf Course Drainage Engineer, Miller marketed himself with the statement “the best Greenskeeper in the world cannot maintain perfect turf unless his course is well drained: think it over.” Shortly after the opening of Augusta National, Wendell P. Miller passed away on August 13, 1935 at the young age of 39. He had been supervising work on the new Southern Hills golf course in Tulsa, OK at the time.
"I can’t think of any golf collectible that is comparable to this piece. This map/plan represents the ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’ of golf architecture.” - Mike Hurdzan, the world renowned Golf Architect of Erin Hills, site of the 2017 U.S. Open, noted golf architecture collector and 2021 Golf Heritage Society Hall of Fame Inductee. Hurdzan also stated,
“This map represents an historical snapshot and rare glimpse into the mind of perhaps the greatest designer in golf course architecture in relation to the most famous golf course in the world.” Wendell P. Miller’s grandson William R. Miller, recently discovered this drawing, rolled in a protective tube, in a closet at his deceased father’s house (the son of Wendell P. Miller) containing this archival work belonging his grandfather. Based on its location within the home, Bill Miller estimates it had been there for at least seventy years. The closet was hardly touched since Bill’s father, Wendell S. Miller, bought the house in 1951. It is clear the Miller family knew this composite map had great significance since it was protected from the elements and stored within their home for several generations. Only now is it finally seeing the light of day for your viewing and purchasing pleasure. Our view is this is the most significant piece of golf memorabilia brought to public auction in recent memory.
Augusta National Golf Club
The 14th – 455-470 YDS - Par 5 For preservation purposes, we placed the plan flat between two custom pieces of plexi-glass after its discovery at the Miller house. No alterations have been made by us to the original in any manner. Please note the displayed images with this offering are shown with the piece of plexi glass on top, and the background has been removed for a clean presentation. The top left corner of the margin has seen significant aging along with the other margins as well. However, the wear at the margins do not affect the substance of this lot - the plans and writings themselves. The writings of MacKenzie are light but legible. This is without a doubt one of the most significant pieces of Augusta National history ever to be presented at auction.
Authenticity for the rare signature of MacKenzie along with his hand written notations is provided in full letters of authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA) and Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA /DNA), both industry leaders in sports authentication throughout the world. Letter from the Wendell P. Miller family also accompanies this lot.
Please note that this is the last known example to exist, and this will be your one and only opportunity to acquire a museum quality piece like this from the Miller family.
Get ready to bid in extended bidding starting at 10pm EDT Sunday, April 10th. Remember that ALL initial bids must be placed before extended bidding begins. The auction will end on a LOT BY LOT basis. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the end of auction rules listed below. Thank you for your continued support - The Golf Auction
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