Billy Casper's Ryder Cup
Captain's Trophy
BILLY CASPER COLLECTION
Billy Casper was one of the all-time greats. During his career, he won an astonishing 51 times on the PGA Tour, the 7th
most in history. That is more than Walter Hagen, Phil Mickelson, Gene
Sarazen, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino and Gary Player. It is no wonder that
despite those 51 victories, including 3 Majors, golf historians still
consider Casper perhaps the most underrated golfer ever.
We
can all agree that Billy Casper was a great golfer; but let’s be clear
on one thing – he was an even better person. Though we don’t usually do
this, let us share a little info on our business dealings with Billy
before he passed away. Billy Casper first reached out to us in early
2014 about what to do with his collection. When we promised him a
sizable six figure cash advance, he told us to come visit him – and to
bring our checkbook. We then flew out to Utah to meet with Billy, his
wife Shirley, and several of his children. After agreeing to a plan for
Casper’s collection, we pulled out that checkbook to write one of our
largest checks ever…and Billy Casper told us to give the entire amount
to charity.
Like we said, Billy Casper was a great golfer; but he was an even better person. Rest in peace, Billy.
Billy Casper’s Ryder Cup Captain's Trophy
In 1995, a special dinner was held to commemorate past Ryder Cup Captains. At that dinner, the PGA of America finally righted a “wrong” that had been going on for too long. Until that dinner, almost all Ryder Cup captains had never been awarded their own Ryder Cup trophy. Before that dinner, Captains were traditionally only given a plaque, as the only “trophy” for each Ryder Cup Matches was the permanent Ryder Cup trophy that traveled between the PGA and R&A depending on which team was reigning Champion.
So it was at that 1995 dinner that Billy Casper received his first – and only – Ryder Cup trophy, despite the fact that he was on eight (!) winning Ryder Cup teams and also Captained the U.S. Team to victory in 1979.
So while most people naturally assume that Billy Casper was awarded 9 Ryder Cup trophies, that would be wrong. He owned 1; the very trophy offered in this Lot.
The Ryder Cup trophy measures 12” tall and 6” from handle to handle. It band is engraved with facsimile signatures of all former Captains of the American Ryder Cup Team.
Letter of Authenticity from the Casper Family