This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/19/2022
Charles 'Chick' Evans Signed Handwritten Circa 1931 (4) Pages on The USGA National Open Championship
In pencil from the hand of 1916 US Open Champion in 1931 Chick Evans is the his article that Evans wrote for 'The Golfer Magazine' on 'The National Open Championship' - The USGA's Us Open Tournament with a signed cover page. Four pages after the written intro would give his candid thoughts on the USGA scheduling, Canadian golf welfare and the state of US Open golf and its contestants. After a couple candid sentences about his then current travels, Chick gets right into the important topic at hand with a fond memory. "First I am thinking of the time when I won the National Open Championship for soon after I won it I went to beautiful, picturesque Guldoph with Mr. A.W. Cutten. Now I am thinking of that same championship 13 years later but not as ever winning again." He goes on to say "...If I had not been National Open Champion I would never have been in touch with North American golf." He goes on to question if any Canadian would be a threat to the championship, as it had not happened at that point. Evans states that he is happy that The Championship Committee of the United States Golf Association had Scheduled the tourney in the later part of June, and then suggests they go further and schedule it in July to give Canadians a chance at the US Open title. "George Von Elm plays (golf) every day of his life." This being a slight advantage, Evans mentions that no northern amateur would have a shot at the US Open (in 1931). Keep in mind Johnny Goodman from Nebraska would go on to win the US Open as an amateur 2 years later. Chick Evans concludes this article with his prediction of the result. James Spence Authentication (JSA) has reviewed this signature and their auction letter of authenticity comes with this lot.
Charles "Chick" Evans was regarded as one of the best amateur golfers of his generation and a better iron-player than any of the professionals during his time. His many accomplishments include being the first amateur to win the Western Open in 1910 and the first amateur to win the U.S. Open as well as the U.S. Amateur in the same year. Possibly aiding in his accomplishments, Evans had some personal philosophies that he would abide by. One being "I made a rule never to swing a golf club except to hit a golf ball, for I had learned that one could swing beautifully when the ball wasn’t there, and poorly when it was".