2016 July Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/31/2016
Jerry Barber Personal Letter Written to Legend John Derr
Dated December 6, 1974, this typed letter to John Derr has been signed by Jerry Barber on the Jerry Barber Golf Company letterhead. Some highlights of the content pertains to shipping a pitching club to John, the World Golf Hall of Fame getting itself together, and even offering to ship some more Vitmain-B-Complex to John! Includes envelope. Please see photos.
Jerry Barber, at age 45, won his only major title in an 18-hole Monday playoff by one stroke over Don January, it was the first playoff as stroke play had only begun a few years prior. The real winner of the tournament was Jerry Barber's putter, having holed out nearly 120ft of putts on the last 3 holes of the final round. Jerry erased a four stroke January lead and force a Monday playoff. He saved his best putt for last, sinking a 60ft to force the playoff. At age 45, Barber became the oldest winner of the PGA Championship, and at that time the only older major winner was Old Tom Morris at age 46 in 1867.
Starting in 1935, John Derr began reporting on the Masters Tournament for what would eventually be a total of 62 times! Derr was part of the CBS team (CBS Remembers John Derr) when the Masters was first televised in 1956, and he covered the Masters for CBS from 1956 to 1982. A recipient of Masters Achievement Award from Augusta National, this Pinehurst legend's reporting started on the veranda at Augusta with O.B. Keeler and Grantland Rice, and ended with inductions in four Halls of Fame as well as the National Journalism Award. He built a lifetime friendship with golf greats such as Bob Jones, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. Some other friends you might've heard of are Mahatma Gandhi, President Eisenhower, Dr. Billy Graham, Albert Einstein, Henry Ford and many more. A driving ambition to find the good in those around him are what's remembered most about this true legend of the game
Here is a clip of Derr talking about walking out on President Eisenhower at Augusta National, and riding in a car between Bing Crosby & Bob Hope among other tales:
Augusta Tales James Spence Authentication has reviewed this signature, and their letter of authenticity comes with this lot.
Please note: This auction will end at 7:00pm EST on Sunday, JULY 31st with EXTENDED BIDDING to follow. All items in the auction will remain open until no items have received a bid within a 15 minute time period. All lots are free to be bid on until extended bidding has ended
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