1950 Ben Hogan Open Contestant Badge for Charley Penna-1 Year Name Scarce Hogan Item!

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/21/2013

In tribute to Ben Hogan the 1950 long running PGA January stop known as the Phoenix Open was officially titled the Ben Hogan Open. Thankfully for Hogan and Golf fans everywhere Ben continued his recovery, so much that he was able to capture the U.S. Open later in 1950. In 1951 with Hogan recovered the name of the Tournament returned to the Phoenix Open. The quick change of event name in '50 to the Ben Hogan Open created a need for hastily produced tournament related items which included the Contestants badge. Offered here is the paper and plastic badge which was issued to contestant Charley Penna for the event. The historical significance of this item to Hogan's career combined with the very flimsy nature of the item, few have survived after 60 years, make this a must have item for the serious Hogan collector.

This item comes from the Penna Family Collection. This highly successful and respected professional golfing family offers golf mementoes from the careers of brothers Toney Penna and Charley Penna, and Tommy Armour whom Toney and Charley worked under for many years as pros at Boca Raton in Florida and various courses in the Chicago area. Toney was a consistent top 20 money winner on the PGA Tour in the 1930's and 40's while his brother Charley competed in 20 U.S. Open and PGA Championships. We have it all from their storied careers in golf both on and off the course, including everything from contestant’s pins, to used sets of clubs, and prototypes for Penna's famous clubs. Toney is an icon when it comes to club making in the 20th Century, first with the MacGregor Golf Company as their chief of design and then later with his own brand of Penna clubs. Many of the designs of club heads used today were first developed by the genius of Toney. We introduce you to this extraordinary collection by offering various lots from the family’s collection in this special British Open offering. This is an opportunity to acquire golf history, possibly for the last time.

In order to bid in extended bidding you must place a bid on the lot before 9pm on auction closing day.