Ben Hogan is, of course, widely considered among the greatest golfers in history. So with countless rounds of golf in his life, you know something special happened when you see a scorecard where Ben Hogan himself wrote "LOWEST ROUND EVER PLAYED" and "23 PUTTS." That special round was an 11 under 61 that consisted of 1 eagle, 9 birdies, 8 pars, and zero bogeys. Ben Hogan went out in 30, and came home in 31.
Oh, and where did Ben Hogan's "Lowest Round Ever Played" occur? Famed Seminole Golf Club in Palm Beach. This scorecard came from the Estate of Robert Sweeny, who was Ben Hogan's good friend and a fellow Seminole member. The scorecard was found with other similar Hogan scorecards from 1954 and 1955, so we assume that is when this historic round occurred.
Ben Hogan, perhaps at the insistence of his playing partners, signed this scorecard, which was then attested to by Georgia Fazio. Rounding out the foursome with Hogan, Sweeny, and Fazio was 1948 Masters Champion (and Seminole Head Pro) Claude Harmon. This scorecard also contains notes from the bets that took place that round. The 3 other golfers in this group were very accomplished golfers. But can you imagine betting against Ben Hogan on the golf course in the early to mid 1950s? And then having him shoot a 61 with only 23 putts?!
A truly historic piece of memorabilia worthy of display in a museum.