This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/25/2020
Ken Venturi's Personal Presidential Logo Golf Balls - Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, & George W. Bush
Each containing the Presidential Seal, here lies Ken Venturi's Personal Presidential Logo Golf Balls - Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, & George W. Bush. The 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan's ball is a vintage Top-Flite XL that was produced by Spalding. The Bushes both have Titleist logo balls, with 41st President George H.W. Bush on a Tour Distance 90 and his son, the 43rd President on a Pro V1 392 #43 ball. Each ball contains a facsimile signature of the President of the United States. Both President Bush balls are in very good condition, with the vintage President Reagan ball exhibiting little wear and in good condition. A letter of authenticity signed by Kathleen Venturi will accompany this lot.
THE KEN VENTURI COLLECTIONWe at The Golf Auction vividly remember Ken Venturi's legendary career in golf both on the course and in the broadcast booth. This auction affords the golf collecting community a wonderful opportunity to cherish a part of his Hall of Fame career, and we will borrow on Ken's own straight forward words on the importance of golf's championship collectibles offered here by his widow Kathleen “After the money is spent the trophy lingers on." Mr. Venturi, it will indeed in some of the finest golf museums and renowned private golf collections across the world that recognize your achievements and support our endeavor.
Most who are reading this know that the highlight of Ken Venturi's golf playing career came with a win at the 1964 United States Open. Contested at Congressional Country Club just outside Washington D.C., the final 36 holes were contested, in one day, under 100-degree heat and stifling humidity contributing to a case of dehydration for Venturi. Said conditions were so severe that between 18 hole rounds, with a fear of fatal heat stroke, he was placed under the care of a doctor who advised that he withdraw from the final round. Somehow Venturi prevailed over the challenging conditions, an extremely tough course (the longest setup to that date in U.S.G.A play), and the finest players in the world shooting an incredible 70 for a four shot victory. It was a significant part of a magical season that led to PGA Tour's Player of the Year and Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year honors which highlighted the numerous end of the year accolades which came his way. Dating to the first U.S. Championship in 1895 there have been 88 different winners, and only 223 players in the history of the game who can lay claim to having captured a Major title.
However one accomplishment no matter how significant does not afford a recipient induction into the World Golf Hall, which Ken was elected to in 2013, you have to have a career packed with achievement. Venturi's wasn't only a career in the game, it was a lifetime in the game beginning as a San Francisco high school golf champion in 1948 and 1949. He continued to excel on the local amateur circuit with three wins in San Francisco City Championship and two triumphs in the California state amateur. He burst on the National scene as a 24-year-old amateur when he led the first three rounds of the 1956 Masters eventually gaining the silver medal losing the Championship by the slimmest one stroke margin. "THE MATCH" also took place in 1956, one of the most famous of four-ball matches to ever hit the links. Played at Cypress Point it featured Venturi and fellow Bay City amateur Harvie Ward against veteran Hall of Fame players Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. It took a Hogan birdie on the 18th hole to decide the winner. In 1957, Ken turned professional and notched the first of 14 career PGA Tour wins in his first event as a pro at the St. Paul Open Invitational. His solid Tour play continued highlighted by another second place finish at the Masters in 1960, sitting as the clubhouse leader after a low Sunday round of 70 had left him at -5, it took two dramatic birdies on 17 and 18 from Arnold Palmer to match Ken's low round of 70 and give Palmer a one stroke victory. Following his U.S. Open triumph in 1964, the golf world was soon deprived of how successful Venturi's on-course career could have been as he was beset by a series of injuries including carpel tunnel syndrome which led to the end of his playing career. He quickly turned over a new leaf in the game joining CBS' coverage of golf as lead analyst for the 1968 season. Venturi with his principled depiction of play from a past Major champions perspective became a highly respected cornerstone golf telecasts among all involved be they players, television executives or the viewing public. This relationship continued for 35 years, making Venturi the longest tenured lead analyst in sports broadcasting history. Once again an incredible feat in the career of Venturi, who accomplished all of this despite a terrible stammer that hampered him in his youth. In conclusion to this bio there is no better words than those of Venturi in signing off on his last telecast for CBS he told viewers, "The greatest gift in life is to be remembered" and in parting. "Thank you for remembering me. God bless you, and God bless America."
A portion of the proceeds generated from the sale of the Ken Venturi Collection will be donated to the large number of charitable foundations founded and supported by Ken and Kathleen Venturi
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