This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/19/2022
Billy Casper's 1966 US Open at The Olympic Club USGA 10k Gold Medal
Proudly presented in this premium offering is champion Billy Casper's 1966 US Open at The Olympic Club 10k gold medal. Our consignor met with the late Mr. Casper's wife Shirley in 2017 to acquire this cherished relic from her late husband's career. It is sourced directly from The Casper Family by way of our consignor.
The USGA did not present U.S. Open Winner & Runner-up medals to players for most of the 1960’s. For instance, Jack Nicklaus was not presented with a Winners Medal in 1962 or 1967 as his Medals were presented sometime later. To our knowledge Jack’s 1972 Winners Medal was presented to Jack at the tournament marking the first such occasion for him. Accordingly, Bill Casper received his 1959 Winners Medal at Winged Foot at the tournament but his 1966 Winners Medal, being sold here, was not presented to Billy Casper at Olympic and he obtained it like other Champions sometime after the tournament.
The revered USGA's Great Seal of The United States eagle is artfully depicted in shallow relief with sections of enamel on the stars and red, white and blue flag stripes shield. Encircling the medal with stars on either side is the significant golf governing body 'United States Golf Association' and its establishment date of '1894.' Carefully turn the 10k stamped medal over and the text surrounded by laurels reads '1966 U.S. Open Championship - Olympic Club - San Francisco, California - Winner Billy Casper.'
Experience paid off for the California-born Casper. Buffalo Billy Casper, previous US Open champion from 1959, staged one of the greatest comebacks in history. Erasing a seven-stroke deficit on the final nine holes to tie Arnold Palmer, Billy Casper then was forced to prevail in an 18-hole playoff to win the second of his three Major titles - which he did as evidence of this gold medal. This museum-quality tangible sign of USGA excellence was presented to World Golf Hall of Famer Billy Casper is surely worthy of inclusion in the finest of golf award collections.