1935 Ryder Cup at Ridgewood CC Program (Hagen Captain) - Top Condition, Toughie

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This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/24/2019

1935 Ryder Cup at Ridgewood CC Program (Hagen Captain) - Top Condition, toughie

This offering is for a seldom seen 1935 Ryder Cup program, the first that we offered at The Golf Auction. In attaching a "seldom seen" moniker to a lot we have to dig a little deeper, and get the facts why this is the case. Most obvious is that by 1933 The Great Depression had reached its lowest point leaving most by 1935 restricted severely in travel and leisure expenditures. We combine that with weather challenges to patrons paper publications both days of the '35 Ryder Cup. The first day’s matches were played during intervals of rain and drizzle, conditions which limited attendance and left many of that year's Ryder Cup programs a soggy mess. Sunday, the final day of competition, was a day of glorious sunshine which drew a crowd of roughly 8,000 spectators, not bad at all for the times, but rising winds in the afternoon sent scores soaring as well as any programs not under the tightest of grips. We are pleased to report that the program offered here is a survivor of those conditions in almost miraculous Ex-MT condition, many might even call it slightly better. All pages remain intact under a still strong center binding. Free from writing, and with both covers virtually crease free (lower right hand corner presents slightest dog earring with mention only for accuracy). It comes exempt from the normal heavy center crease so often apparent as gentlemen of the 1930's folded their programs and placed them in the pocket of their suit coats. This one is a blazer which will never need upgrading and you will be pleased to own as part of your collection.

Rod Munday Collection
A contemporary of Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, and Paul Runyan, Rod Munday traveled the same proving ground as many of the touring and club professionals in a career that spanned over 50 years. His friendship with those individuals and fellow teaching professionals lasted throughout his life as a pro golfer that started in Northern California and ended in Pennsylvania. Rod competed in many pro tournaments including both the 1940 and 1946 Masters Tournaments. He frequently qualified for and played in the PGA Championship from the 1930’s through the early 1960’s, and competed in the 1934, 1935, 1946, and 1947 US Open. If a putt would have fallen one way or another, Munday could have been a golfer that was mentioned in the same sentence as the legendary golfers of his day.

Munday, a World War II army vet who received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, was the preferred teaching professional for many celebrities and dignitaries, none larger than President and General Dwight D Eisenhower. Eisenhower became Rod’s #1 pupil at the Gettysburg Country Club in Pennsylvania. Munday was just as much a personal friend to these larger than life figures as a golf instructor. Many of the leading tour players such as 1941 Masters champion Craig Wood, considered Rod Munday one of the top putting minds of the 1950’s. Horton Smith, Byron Nelson, Henry Cotton, Jack Grout, and Gene Sarazen all kept in contact with Munday over the years. The allure to play exhibitions at Munday’s clubs at Highland Meadows in Toledo, Ohio and the Country Club of York in Pennsylvania was there for many, including visits and fundraisers attended by one of his closest friends, Ben Hogan.

The Golf Auction is proud to offer the Rod Munday Collection, helping to tell the story of the man himself.

AUCTION CLOSING RULES:

This auction will end at 9:00pm EST Sunday, November 24th with EXTENDED BIDDING to follow. All items that have received multiple bids in the auction will remain open until no items have received a bid within a 15 minute time period (at 10pm EST, the countdown clock will be adjusted to a 5 minute interval). Place your bids now!

1. You must place your initial bids BEFORE extended bidding begins in order to bid on the item in extended bidding
2. During extended bidding, you are allowed to bid only on items you PREVIOUSLY placed a bid on.
3. All lots that are active in extended bidding will close at the same time, and those with only ONE or NO BIDS will close at 9pm EST