Controversial United States Team

Signed 1993 Ryder Cup Menu

        Offered here is certainly the most controversial signed menu that we've ever offered. For those of you that don't recall, autographed menus became the subject of much controversy at the 1993 Ryder Cup Matches when Captain Tom Watson broke from tradition and refused to allow the U.S. Team to sign menus for the British Team and other gala attendees. Autographing menus at these galas had been tradition for decades, and Watson was repeatedly chastised by the British tabloids for his refusal.

        Here are Watson words after the snafu: "I signed a couple menus for Bernhard Langer because he said they were for charity," Watson explained. "But then I thought it might get out of hand. There were 800 people at the dinner, I told Sam [Torrance] we'd be perfectly willing to collect the menus, sign them, then return them later. I apologize if I offended him [for refusing to allow the players to sign any more menus]."

        For these reasons, United States team-autographed menus from the 1993 Ryder Cup are exceedingly rare. The offered example is exceptional, and is likely the only such example we'll ever see offered for sale.

         Certificate of Authenticity from Green Jacket Auctions.