Frank Sinatra's Personal c.1959 'A Hole in the Head' First Flight Putter from Frank Capra
"FRANKIE (Sinatra) - A HOLE IN THE HEAD - PATRI CAPRA - MIAMI, FLA 1959" is engraved in the face of this putter given by Frank Capra to Frank Sinatra at the 1959 movie's premiere in this offering. Capra, Italian-American film director, producer and screenwriter was behind many of the silverscreen hits in the 1930's through 1950's including the comedy 'A Hole in the Head' in 1959 with Frank Sinatra 'Old Blue Eyes' as the lead. It was a box office hit, bringing in $5.2 million. Sinatra played a "lowlife dreamer" named Tony with a well-off friend named Jerry Marks with plans to build "Disneyland in Florida." Jerry pulls out of the partnership with a grand plan when he sees Tony's (Sinatra) gambling problems come to a head at the dog park. Interestingly enough this predates the Florida-based Disney World by 12 years. The motion picture introduced Frank Sinatra's hit single "High Hopes" by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen which would be used during the John F. Kennedy election the next year. 'Patri' Capra meaning 'papa' or 'father' being a nod to Capra's close relationship with Sinatra. This significant personal putter once belonging to Frank Sinatra, who four years later hold his own golf tournament, is a custom hollowed out First Flight flat stick certainly worthy of museum inclusion.
This putter's origin story is told best by Hal Shaw, The Babe Zaharias Foundation Founder and CEO himself: "This story begins many years ago during the late 1950s. I was stationed in Miami, Florida serving in the US Coast Guard. I was blessed with S&Q status (substance & quarters) meaning I could live off base and choose my dwellings as well as where or what to eat. I chose Coral Gables which was perfect for a single guy back in those days. My weekends were free, which allowed me to play as much golf as I desired at Bayshore Country Club since they gave me a special rate for serving in the Coast Guard. At the time I was carrying a two handicap, so the starter would fix me up with threesomes that needed a fourth. In the later part of 1958 was so bizarre that it seemed like fate or whatever lined up the planets that day. I was in the clubhouse drinking coffee and the starter requested me to report to the first tee over the PA system. As I approached the first tee, there were several people chatting and joking around, as I squeezed through everyone to find the starter who proceeded to introduce me to the gentleman I was playing with that round, Mr. Frank Capra, Mr. Frank Sinatra, and another gentleman that went by ‘Big Sammy’ which fit him perfectly. God has blessed me in so many ways, but this was a truly unforgettable moment. I did not play that well this round as I was too focused on what they were discussing which happened to be about the movie project titled ‘A Hole in The Head’. Ironically, after the round while settling all the wagers from the round, Sinatra reminded his entourage of the big party he was having at the Fountain Bleu Hotel to celebrate his birthday. My brain locked up, here it is Friday December 12th, 1958. I dug out my wallet and handed Mr. Sinatra my driver’s license, he was cool, and my license got passed around then he proceeded to hand it back, looking at me with those blue eyes and he says, “hey kid you like champagne, you’re my guest, party starts at 9!” This was my first and last time seeing the gifted vocalist/actor, however we did stay in touch through my old college roommate Doug Sanders. Doug was considered one of the Rat Pack. At the movie premier, Frank Capra presented the putter to Mr. Sinatra in a gift box from the First Flight Golf Co. that later signed Mr. Sinatra to a contract illustrating the great man using their equipment during all his charity events. As seen in the photos, this putter has been used frequently over the years. Sinatra used it for a while before giving it to Sammy Davis Jr. after Sammy hoped it would help with his putting. When I met up with Doug Sanders at the 1993 Masters and told him about my history with Sinatra in the 50s, Doug got in touch with his friend to see about acquiring the putter. This brings about a swap-out. I received this unbelievable gift for my 75th birthday from my dear friend Doug Sanders. I’ll be turning 89 years old and concluded that it is time to release these treasures to the rest of the world."
34 1/2." A signed letter of provenance from The Babe and George Zaharias Foundation, which benefits disabled and underprivileged children, comes with this lot.
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