Deane Beman's Original 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island Trophy
Simply splendid in every last detail this Ryder Cup trophy belongs to Deane Beman who oversaw these matches as Commissioner of the PGA Tour (1974-1994). The "War on the Shore" 1991 Ryder Cup matches saw the United States take back the cup, 14 1/2 to 13 1/2. Claiming the Ryder Cup for the U.S. for the first time since 1983. Per tradition members of the winning Ryder Cup squad receive slightly scaled down replica trophies to commemorate their victory. The trophy stands 12" tall with a diameter of 4.5" and measures 6" from handle to handle. A sterling silver plaque wraps around the base (or plinth), displaying the engraved signatures of the United States team: Fred Couples, Payne Stewart, Lanny Wadkins, Hale Irwin, Paul Azinger, Corey Pavin, Mark O'Meara, Mark Calcavecchia, Wayne Levi, Steve Pate, Chip Beck, Raymond Floyd and team captain Dave Stockton. The name of Deane Beman and "Kiawah Island / 1991 is also engraved on this band. With remarkable display quality this award of achievement features a beautiful gold plated chalice with removable lid that bears a figural golfer which bears a close resemblance to British professional Abe Mitchell. Manufactured by "JB London" with that company's hallmark appearing on the band. With its every element intact and finery retaining its definition and lustrous glow, this trophy is unrivaled in terms of Ryder Cup prizes. This rarefied offering of an official 1991 Ryder Cup trophy from "The War at the Shore"(with less then 20 of these crafted), is deserving of even the most elite collection.
THE DEANE BEMAN COLLECTION PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME
Deane Beman was a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame's Class of 2000, selected for his Lifetime Achievement in golf. It would be difficult to find someone who better fit that criteria then Beman. As a player, he won four PGA TOUR titles, a pair of United States Amateurs, The Amateur Championship and competed on four U.S. Walker Cup teams. Following those successes on the course, Beman served the game at it's highest level as PGA TOUR commissioner for twenty years from 1974-94. During this time the tour's assets grew ten fold. A true visionary of the sport, Beman ushered in the creation of the Senior PGA TOUR (now referred to as the Champions Tour). He also created the Ben Hogan Tour (now called the Web.com Tour). His dream of Stadium Golf would become a reality in the TPC Stadium Course at Sawgrass followed by widely successful similar products around the United States. A crowning achievement to his contributions to the game came in May of 1998, when another of Beman's ideas became reality when the World Golf Village, home of the World Golf Hall of Fame opened in St.Augustine, Florida.
The World Golf Hall of Fame honors golf's greatest players and contributors. Deane Beman recently contributed a significant part of his collection of career golf mementos to the World Golf Hall of Fame. He recognized the many benefits this organization affords to furthering the game of golf through the preservation of its rich history. While making this contribution his wish also was that a small portion of items would be auctioned through The Golf Auction with 100% of Mr. Beman's proceeds being donated to the World Golf Hall of Fame. A letter of provenance from Mr. Beman will accompany this item.
Please note: This auction will end at 5:00pm EST on Sunday, April 8th, 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. Still the lowest rate among major golf auction houses, there is a buyer's premium of 17.5% for all items. All lots are free to be bid on until extended bidding has ended.