1953 PGA Championship at Birmingham CC Contestant Badge - Walter Burkemo Winner
The 1953 PGA Championship marked the last year a stick clasping pin 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" metal badge would be used to designate players in the field. In 1954 the PGA would switch to money clips as the means of admittance for players. The 64 player match play which would eventually be won by Walter Burkemo at Birmingham C.C. in Birmingham, Michigan. One of only 136 crafted for players in the event, this example retains its gold and green enamel luster from the day 1953 contestants pins were distributed. Detroit, Michigan native Walter Burkemo was an excellent match player, he fought his way to the final round of the PGA Championship three times in four years. In 1951 he ran afoul of Sam Snead and was beaten. 1953 of course represented his win 2 and 1 over Felice Torza at the Birmingham (Mich) C.C. only six miles away from his club pro position at Franklin Hills Country Club. In 1954 he lost to the long hitting Chick Harbert. In the entire history of the PGA Championship being contested as match play (which would be the format through 1957), only five players (all Hall of Famers) would reach the finals more often then Burkemo: James Barnes, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead. A letter of from PGA Historian Emeritus Bob Denney will accompany this lot.
This auction will end Sunday, November 24th at 10pm ET. Please utilize the categories column and search bar to help you navigate towards your preferred collectibles. Bids must be placed before 10pm ET Sunday in order to participate in extended bidding. Bid Now!
AUCTION CLOSING RULES:
1. Place your initial bids BEFORE 10pm ET Sunday November 24th in order to bid on the item(s) during extended bidding
2. During extended bidding, you may only bid on items you PREVIOUSLY placed a bid on.
3. Lots with only ONE or NO BIDS at the time of auction close will close at 10pm ET
Extended bidding starts at 10pm ET, and all lots will begin closing with their own 30-minute countdown clock. Clock will reset to 30 minutes with each bid, please refresh your page. Thank you
Please Note: TGA will charge the Bidder/Buyer of the Item(s) a commission (Buyer’s Premium) of nineteen and one-half percent (19.5%) on the successful and final bid price of each of the Item(s) or lot(s) won. No discounts apply. No returns. TGA is not responsible for customs, duties, brokerage and/or similar charges on items shipped internationally. Placement of a bid in this auction constitutes acceptance of all of the terms and conditions in this auction. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.