Rare 1949 Ryder Cup Menu

Signed by both American & British Teams

            Offered here is an original 1949 Ryder Cup Menu that has been signed by both the U.S. and British Ryder Cup Teams, including U.S. Captain Ben Hogan, who was recovering from his tragic auto accident. On the eve of the Matches, Hogan raised a small controversy when he complained about the grooves on the clubs of some of the British Players. This was Hogan's retaliation for an incident in 1947 when Britain's Henry Cotton asked for an inspection of Hogan's clubs. No "illegal" grooves were discovered at that time. Hogan's objections however were on target. The British team met with Royal & Ancient Rules of Golf Committee member Bernard Darwin that evening and Darwin said the clubs should be repaired to meet conforming standards. The clubs were brought back to Glanton Golf Club in Scarborough, where host professional Jock Ballantine spent the evening filing away the prohibitive grooves. The American team would go on to win 7-5.

            This original program/menu measures 8" x 5 3/4" with center fold.