2015 June Exclusive Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2015
Jack Fleck's 1955 US Open Contestant Pin
You find a wide range of varying conditions on these treasured keepsakes. The varying conditions are all over the board just as the success of the players who wore them ranges from mising the cut to finishing in the top ten. Over the 115 years of U.S. Open Championships there are only a handful, if that, in the golf collecting world from the actual champion of the event. Offered here is one of those rare champions contestants badges from the 1955 winner Jack Fleck. Comprised of metal measuring 1 1/8"x 1 1/4" with raised lettering on the facing side that includes "PLAYER", "1955" and "USGA". A circular orange enamel section, also appearing on the front of this extremely limited collectable, carries wording "OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP". The reverse of this badge, from the 1955 Championship still carries it's original pin clasp in working fashion.It's overall condition is commendably clean and attractive in a minimal NR-MT condition.
On the 72nd hole of play in the '55 U.S. Open Jack Fleck pulled his Ben Hogan manufactured 7-iron out of the bag, Fleck rolled the ball to seven feet from the cup and sank the putt to tie Hogan at 287 and force an 18-hole playoff the next day. In what was thought to be a lopsided playoff win for Hogan, most surprisingly Fleck was in command after a birdie at 10 put him three strokes up. Though challenged on the back side with his lead as little as one stroke entering 18, Fleck stood tall and finished with a par on 18 to defeat Hogan by three strokes (69-72). Only four other players, all only once, had broke 70 at Olympic Club that week. Fleck with his playoff round 69 broke 70 three times. One of the greatest upsets in sports history was complete. Unquestionably one of the most significant champions contestants pins to surface from any of the past U.S.Open winners. This badge of addmittance was retained by Jack Fleck from that June 19th, 1955 day when he defeated Hogan, as one of his most cherished possessions on earth. It is only with his passing in March of 2014 that optimum collectable is made available to the collecting world. A letter of provenance from Fleck's wife, Carmen, accompanies this treasured lot.
Please note: This auction will end at 7:00pm EST on June 21st 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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