Offered here is Sam Snead's large 16" Ryder Cup Captain's trophy from the 1951 Ryder Cup, which was held at Pinehurst Resort's famed No. 2 Course. Sam Snead was playing Captain in 1951 at Pinehurst, and won both of his matches as he led the Americans to a 9 1/2 to 2 1/2 victory. The 1951 Ryder Cup was also the 2nd and final time that Ben Hogan would participate in the Ryder Cup (even though Hogan won 3 Majors in 1953, he declined to participate). 

Though we've sold a dozen of the standard Ryder Cup trophies that stand about 12" tall, this is the very first time we've had the privilege of handling one of the rare large 16" Captain's trophies (see the photo of this trophy towering over a standard Ryder Cup trophy). Other than this trophy, the only two other large Ryder Cup Captain's trophies that we have ever seen offered for sale are Sam Snead's from his 2 additional Ryder Cup Captaincy's in 1959 and 1969. Those trophies were sold through Heritage Auctions in 2013 for $179,250 and $131,450, respectively. 

With all due respect to those trophies from the 1959 Ryder Cup at El Dorado and 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale, if you had to choose one it would be this trophy from Pinehurst in 1951. 

The trophy stands a little over 16" tall and measures 9" wide from handle to handle.

Engraved: SAM SNEAD, CAPTAIN 1951, Pinehurst

Letter of Provenance from Sam Snead's Son, Jack Snead