Arnold Palmer Personal Used AP30R Putter with Letter
Arnold Palmer's personal used putter in the production of the famous AP 30R is proudly presented in this lot. The provenance story is best told by the consignor himself, as it is written in the letter which accompanies this lot.
"During my time at Duke University in the 70’s, I dated Mary McCann from Charlotte, NC. Her father, John
McCann, excelled in the insurance industry and was a skilled amateur golfer with numerous tournament
victories. The McCanns were a golfing family; John, along with his wife Betty and son Johnny, achieved
multiple club championships at Charlotte CC. Significantly, John was also Arnold Palmer’s close friend and life
insurance agent. The golfing buddies would play when Arnie was in town. Palmer gifted John this putter in the
late 1960’s, explaining that it was one of the original prototypes of the Wilson AP 30R. John later passed this
putter on to me in 1975. Whether it was a ploy to persuade me to marry his daughter remains uncertain.
Unaware of its significance, I carried the putter in my bag for the next decade. As I began sharing its history
with fellow golfers, opinions on its value ranged widely—from commonplace (non-collector) to potentially
invaluable. Fearing its loss or theft, I retired the putter from play and secured it safely.
In 1995, I received an invitation from my childhood friend turned PGA Tour player Scott Hoch to play Bay Hill
in Orlando. Although Scott ended up being of the country that week, his wife Sally, another childhood friend,
met me after church to greet me before our round. Coincidentally, Arnold Palmer was practicing on the range
of his course. Sally kindly asked if I would like to meet him, to which I eagerly agreed. Carrying this very putter,
I accompanied her to meet the legend.
After exchanging pleasantries with the great Arnold Palmer, I took the opportunity to inquire about THE putter
in my hand. I explained its long history from him to John to myself, and various naive speculations surrounding
its authenticity from others thinking it was too good to be true. Palmer examined it closely, gave me a look
that confirmed its provenance in only a way he could. Palmer verbally confirmed it was indeed his, noting the
lead added to the back of the blade and the marks on the hosel from his constant adjustments or “tinkering.”
He also identified it as an early prototype of the famous putter The King helped bring to
market. I was thrilled with the confirmation from Palmer.
In his typical fashion, Arnie quipped, You know what I'd do with this if I were you? I asked, intrigued. You
wait until I'm dead and gone, and some dumbass will pay you a lot of money for this thing. We shared a good
laugh before heading off to play our respective rounds on the course.
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