This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/11/2018
This lot presents a rare 1947 U.S. Open Golf Championship contestant's badge issued to Melvin "Chick" Harbert who won seven times on the PGA Tour in the 1940's and 50's including the 1954 PGA Championship. He was also runner-up in that same major twice (1947 & '52) and got third place at the 1948 Masters. Chick's best finish at the U.S. Open was eighth (doing so twice), but the product of Dayton, Ohio, sure got off to a great start in the '47 tournament held June 12-15 at St. Louis Country Club. He led after both the first and second rounds with scores of 67 and 72, respectively, before fading on the weekend to a 12th place finish. Lew Worsham held off Sam Snead in an 18-hole playoff for his only major championship, one of the four runner-up finishes that ultimately denied Snead his elusive grand slam.
There were 146 entries in the '47 U.S. Open and each player received a contestant badge like this one. The lovely blue and white enameled front bears the name, year and site of the tournament on the front. The reverse is stamped with "68" (Halbert's contestant number we presume) and "Robbins Co. Attleboro" for the manufacturer. Measures 33 mm long and weighs 16 grams. The golden colored metallic badge has aged very well and comes as issued with its pin clasp intact and just the slightest bit of oxidation on the back.
Includes LOA from his daughter.