This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2020
Significant Circa 1880's A.F. (Allan) Macfie Putter with Shaft Mark - First Brit Am Champion
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews determined in 1922, the accomplished golfer from Liverpool, England Allan Macfie's name would be recognized as the first champion of the British Amateur Championship for his victory at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in 1885 and added to the list of British Amateur Champions in the tournament. He was able to outplay thoroughbred Horace Hutchinson 7-6 in the finals of the bracket comprised of 44 gentlemen from 12 different clubs. The total entrance fee of 1 guinea per contestant and 25 guineas from the Royal Liverpool Club was used for prizes for the winners. This amount totaling between 60 and 70 guineas was a large sum in comparison to the 10 guineas that the 1885 Open Championship awarded as a winner's purse. 'The Royal & Ancient Game of Golf', Harold Hilton and co-author Grant Smith, wrote that Macfie was mostly deaf, and and "a player of wonderful accuracy and very fine style." Both A.F. Macfie and this club as significant, as the inaugural British Amateur Major Champion's name in capital letters can be found across the crown of the club, in the fashion and application of those of an owner of the club in the back half of the 19th century. There is a time-period replacement grip, with the club otherwise found in good to very good condition, as seen in the photographs (highlighted in the 4th). The final picture shows numerous important measurements that are commonly of interest to clubs of this time-period and realm. This opportunity is one that has not come around for The Golf Auction prior, with this lot being the first relic bearing the name A.F. Allan Macfie. A signed letter of from PGA Historian Emeritus Bob Denney will accompany this lot.
Type of Club: Putter with very little loft
Overall Condition: Good to Very Good, with some adhesive residue present on sole that is removable.
Head Stamp: 'AF MACFIE' with multiple applications of those letters to show emphasis
Shaft Stamp: 'D' carved into shaft, as seen in pictures
Sole Plate/Horn Insert: Ram's horn insert is flush with club face
Grip Material: Sheepskin
Replacement Parts or Refinished: Grip
Lead Weight: Lead weight in back of head
Circa: 1880's
Length: 37" from the bottom of the heel to the top of the grip
~*PGA Reach Collection*~
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* All winning bids for auction items will be deemed to be at fair market value. As a result, none of the items are eligible for a charitable tax deduction and no acknowledgement letters will be provided
Thank you to all of our worldwide bidders and consignors for your support throughout the year. Please enjoy our final auction of 2020, it will come to an end this Sunday, December 13th at 9pm EST. Stay safe and be well, happy bidding! – The Golf Auction
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