This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/20/2017
Schenectady Putter - First Center-Shafted Putter
Originally used at the 1904 British Amateur Championship, this Schenectady putter was a controversial club when first introduced, before the USGA and R&A could finally agree that the center-shafted putter was necessary for the progression of the game. Patented in 1903 by Arthur Knight of Schenectady, New York, the putter was made as an effort to improve Knight's short game. The Schenectady putter became a controversial club after Walter Travis became the first American to win the British Amateur, while using this style of putter, defeating Edward Blackwell. The R&A was not fond of seeing a foreign-born golfer win the tournament, let alone by using a new and unorthodox putter, and identified the putter as an unfair advantage. In 1910, the R&A officially ruled the Schenectady, and other center-shafted putters, to be illegal. The USGA would not outlaw the club due to its profound effect on the game, but it wasn't until 1951 that the R&A lifted their ban against this style of putters. This putter is one of the most historic of any club to date. The putter offered here measures 33" from heel to end and presents in excellent condition.
**THE JOHN ROTH COLLECTION**
This auction features many items from the collection of John Roth (1940-2015.) John spent 25 years amassing a collection of golf memorabilia and golf antiques that would rival most of the golf museums around the globe. John had a passion for the history and nuance of the game, its traditions and the ever-changing evolution of the manufacture of its equipment. John was a member of the Golf Collectors Society, and actively participated in many of its events around the country. John was also a long-time player in the Society of Hickory Golfers’ tournaments around the country, which honor the traditions of the game by playing with antique, wooden-shafted clubs. During his lifelong participation in the two organizations, John won or placed highly in several tournaments and made many lifelong friends with whom he found camaraderie in his pursuit of all things golf. It is his family’s wish that the items that John treasured so much find loving new homes where they can continue to be enjoyed and tell the history of the sport that meant so much to their husband and father.
Please note: This auction will end at 7:00pm EST on Sunday, November 19th, 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