Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Personal Used Irons, Woods & Putters in Full Size Golf Bags w/Bag Tags
"Luuucy, I'm home!" This marquee offering of both Lucille Ball and husband/co-star Desi Arnaz's club sets, in the opinion of The Babe & George Zaharias Foundation, ranks in the top items they have procured while curating items for the benefit of the charitable organization.
The medium-winded acquisition story that involves the A-list Hollywood couple and the famous famous pairing Babe and George Zaharias, in their own right, through mutual friend and show writer Bob Carroll Jr. goes as follows. Carroll Jr., one of the main 'I Love Lucy' writers, grew up and graduated from St. Petersburg Jr. College of Florida. Through the twists and turns in his career, he ended up as a permanent fixture and successful creator and writer for the show. With some of his roots still in the St. Petersburg, FI., area, it was just a matter of time before he met up with Babe & George Zaharias and their circle of friends. After finding out his connection with Lucy & Desi, Babe suggested that B.C. (Babe's nickname for Bob) find an opening in the shooting schedule and fly Lucy and Desi down for a few days of R&R. "That would naturally include a little golf, nightclubbing, Cuban cigars for all the guys and a whole lot of shopping for all the gals!" This is a direct quote from the Babe herself. One of Bob's friends owned a hotel on St. Pete Beach which would accommodate the Arnezes as guests. Another friend was golf professional "Skip" Alexander, who extended his Lakewood C.C. and played a friendly round, with he and Lucy teamed against Babe and Desi. We don't know who won that match, but we understand the bar stayed open way past normal hours that night! The following day was Babe & George's turn to show Lucy and Desi their newly acquired and redesigned golfing facility her in Tampa, renamed the Tampa Golf and C.C.. Tampa Golf and C.C. became a very active golf and social club in its initial groundbreaking. Everyone wanted to claim membership due to Babe's notoriety. Its activity ran 24/7! On this particular day, the women challenged the men. Lucy played from the ladies tees and Babe, George and Desi from the men's tee boxes. Needless to say, Babe outscored them all and collected all bets for Lucy and herself, which also included dinner and drinks at Las Novedades, Tampa's oldest restaurant dating back to 1890.
At brunch the next morning at the club, Babe suggested they stop by the pro shop and take a look at her latest line of clubs. Lucy and Desi were hooked. With Babe's great salesmanship ability and the latest and shiniest Wilson Golf clubs and bags, Lucy and Desi soon traded in their old worn sets of MacGregors for the Hi-tech of golf's best. Babe explained all the bells and whistles of Wilson's best scientific equipment. Also leather bags were out as they were too heavy and a problem if they got wet or damp resulting in mildew. Babe put Lucy into the Babe Zaharias top line of Wilson and put Desi into Wilson's best top line for men. Along with the new clubs, Babe helps them choose much lighter Wilson Bags. As you review the photos of the following, please keep in mind these clubs are over 60 years old but are still in ex. condition considering their age.
Lucy's clubs and bag are as follows: MacGregor Louise Suggs 1-2-3-4 Woods, MacGregor Louise Suggs 2-9 Irons, Mallet Putter with Green insert, Spalding Tournament Model Ladies S.S. Wedge, Custom Made Mexican Hand-Tooled Golf Bag with headcovers (bag is painted in vibrant colors), All clubs in original condition with leather grips. Desi's clubs and bag are as follows: MacGregor Ben Hogan Driver, MacGregor Tommy Armour 2-3-4 Woods, MacGregor Tommy Armour 2-9 Irons, MacGregor Tommy Armour 99 Wedge, Mallet Putter with Red Insert, Custom Made Mexican Hand Tooled Golf Bag and headcovers (all clubs original w/leather grips except Hogan driver has all weather cord grip). It is said that Desi had a red-faced putter to signify his red-headed wife Lucille and in response Lucille's putter is green to remind her then real life husband that she makes him money. A signed letter of provenance from The Babe and George Zaharias Foundation, which benefits disabled and underprivileged children, comes with this lot.
The December Golf Auction is our 10th and final Auction of 2023, thank you for another great year! Please utilize the categories column to help you navigate towards your preferred collectibles, and remember that all initial bids must be placed before 10pm ET, Sunday, December 17th in order to participate on those lots during extended bidding.
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