The 1954 Masters Tournament was one of the greatest Major Championships in history. Sam Snead and Ben Hogan were tied after 72 holes, and would need 18 more to declare Sam Snead the winner. There in person to witness this historic tournament was 18th hole announcer Ralph Hutchinson. Hutchinson held the position of 18th hole announcer at the Masters Tournament from 1947 to 1971. During that time, Hutchinson became rather infamous for his hounding of players for their winning golf balls after they completed a tournament. He collected some prime examples during his career inside the ropes, though Jack Nicklaus famously rebuffed Hutchinson's advances after his 1963 win.
Offered here is one of Sam Snead’s actual golf balls from the 1954 Masters Tournament, as collected and displayed by Ralph Hutchinson. The ball is a Wilson Top Notch #12 with a block letter “SNEAD” written in ink. The reverse of the ball still retains some glue residue from when it was displayed in Hutchinson’s collection.