A Chick Evans forked hosel putter made by Wilson is pictured and discussed in The Clubmakers Art (second edition V2 p 216-217) as the only one I had ever seen.  With the appearance of this club, we now know that more than one was made, only this one is not stamped "Wilson" nor does it bear the Evans name.  This was possibly a beautifully made prototype as it is not quite as wide from side to side, but was more likely left unmarked for a reason: Evans was a lifelong amateur and he never endorsed a single golf club.  

The head on this putter, which is much longer than it is wide, has been illegal under the rules of golf since 1910. Before then, it would work great.  The long, narrow head provides a visual aid to help the golfer’s alignment. The back of the sole angles up to keep the back of the head from catching on the ground during the takeaway and follow-through. The club, bearing lead button weights on both of its sides, is smartly engineered.

Evans was well known for his use of the Hackbarth putter with its forked hosel.  The auctioneer has long thought he might have had the idea for this club. But there is no evidence to confirm this. Even so, the single example that bears his name is all that is needed for this club to be known as the Chick Evans Fork Hosel putter made by Wilson.

Born in 1890 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Charles “Chick" Evans Jr. was one of the greatest amateur golfers of all time. Besides winning the Western Amateur eight times (1909,’12,’14,’15, ’20, ’21, ’22, and ’23), he won the 1910 Western Open, the 1911 French Amateur Open, the 1916 and 1920 U.S. Amateurs, and the 1916 U.S. Open. He also finished second three times in the U.S. Amateur and once in the U.S. Open.

Evans was the first man to win the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur in the same year, a feat termed “The Double Crown.” Only Bobby Jones duplicated that accomplishment, doing so while completing the “Grand Slam” in 1930. Incredibly, Chick Evans played in fifty U.S. Amateur Championships—a record that will likely stand forever.

The head is unmarked, and has its original 33 1/2" shaft and grip.