Caddyshack's Dan Resin Movie Used Johnny Hart Illustrated Ping Golf Bag w/Movie Lobby Sheet
Ready, set, action! Here is Caddyshack's Dan Resin Used Johnny Hart Illustrated Ping Golf Bag w/Movie Lobby Sheet - used in perhaps the most famous golf movie of all time. Two reference photos of this bag in the movie, prior to being illustrated by Johnny Hart are included in image 13 and 14 of this listing. Ping had very successful years with its line of putters and clubs. Karsten got wind that Wilson Sporting Goods Company had donated it latest line of clubs and bag to be used and played in an upcoming golf themed movie being filmed in south Florida.
After more information, he also learned that one of the actors was Dan Resin, an old golfing acquaintance from his days playing the courses in New York while he was working as an engineer for GE. Karsten got in touch with Dan and, after the catching-up conversation, Karsten suggested sending Dan a set of his latest Ping clubs with matching bag and accessories to compete with the world wide Wilson brand. Both of these Wilson and Ping sets are highlighted during the filming of Caddyshack. The movie wasn't a smashing success at the time, but it has become a cult favorite among golfing and non-golfing fans alike.
While working back in the New York area doing commercials and other acting roles, Dan was invited to participate in the B.C. Open Golf Tournament Pro-Am event held in Endicott, NY. It was during this outing at the B.C. Open that Dan met Johnny Hart, the cartoonist and sponsor of this PGA Tour tournament. This was the beginning of a long relationship, which led to many colorful life-filled experiences. They discovered they both were born in 1931 only several months apart.
For Johnny Hart's 50th birthday, Dan bequeathed to him the same set of Ping golf clubs that Dan had played with while filming Caddyshack.
What a terrific gift from his friend, neither one realizing what significance this Caddyshack bag would have.
Fast forward to Tampa, Florida, where another close friend of Hart's resided, Lamar Sparkman, an artist and cartoonist, who was a huge B.C. fan. Lamar was the sports illustrator for The Tampa Tribune, which carried the B.C. and Wizard of Id comic strips. Hart and Sparkman (aka Johnny and Sparky) supported and shared each other's ideas over the years. Lamar Sparkman has several pieces of his own art on display in the Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters. Further intertwining this bag with its journey, Hal Shaw, The Babe Zaharias Foundation founder, just so happened to be one of Sparkman's sporting golf illustration subjects when he won the 1953 City Junior Golf Championship at Tampa's Temple Terrace GC. Lamar Sparkman turned 75 years of age in 1997 and received this highly sought after golf bag from his cartoonist colleague, Johnny Hart. Johnny later called his old friend to see if he had received the gift and checked out its undeniable presence during the filming of Caddyshack.
Lamar was overwhelmed. The movie clearly showed Wilson (the 110 year old company) doing its best to outshine Ping (the 21 year old company), the new kid on the block.
The founding of The Babe and George Zaharias Golf Foundation was one of those special occasions Sparkman used it. Babe D. Zaharias was one of Lamar's favorite subjects in all of his 40 years of illustrations and artwork. He had drawn up her captivating persona for three of The Tampa Tribune's Sunday sports editions. Also included is the Caddyshack movie lobby poster sheet. The change made following this bag's big break, usage as a prop in the Cadyshack movie, is simply the Hart illustration on its main pocket.
The Babe Zaharias Foundation was blessed to have Lamar donate this treasure from past ownerships:
Karsten Solheim - Engineer, golf club designer and founder of Ping Golf Club Company.
Dan Resin - TV, movie and Broadway actor.
Johnny Hart - Illustrator and comic cartoonist.
Lamar Sparkman - Illustrator, sculptor and artist.
A signed letter of provenance from The Babe Zaharias Foundation comes with this lot.
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