The Golf Auction Pairs Up Woods, Nicklaus, Jones

In warmer climes, the golf season never really stops, and the professionals have been gearing up for the Masters in early April for quite a few weeks.

In more northern climes, the snow is finally melting and the smell of spring (read: mud) tells us that golf is on the horizon.

So what better time to dive in and bid on some great golf collectibles and memorabilia from one of the leaders in the field – The Golf Auction? The Florida-based company is conducting its spring auction, which is live now and concludes April 10. The auction will feature more than 300 lots, some of which will include Masters and Augusta National items from the 1930s through 2011. There will also be autographs from nearly all of the past Masters winners in the auction.

A golf auction isn’t a top-tier auction these days without Tiger Woods, his recent play and troubles notwithstanding, and this auction will feature something different – a team-signed golf ball and photo from his days on the Stanford golf team. Both items are JSA certified.

But some of the real treasures in golf come from the former champions of the game, and The Golf Auction has them all in its lineup.

Among the single-signed autographs are a Bobby Jones full name autograph on an index card; Craig Wood autograph, one of the toughest Masters champion signatures to get; Horton Smith signed album page; and examples from Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and Japanese phenom Ryo Isikawa.

Among the rare memorabilia offered in the auction are a 1975 Masters gift pack in it original packaging, a Jack Nicklaus signed British Open 5# Note, a rare 1971 14k gold Augusta National Members Pin and Masters badges from 1963-66 and 1972.

For those looking for vintage golf photos, this auction will also feature 35 early golf wirephotos.

Other items of note in the lineup include golf medals, hickory clubs, golf trophies, vintage golf programs (including a 1934 Masters program), tickets, scorecards and golf books.

For more information on this event, call The Golf Auction at (813) 340-6179 or visit www.thegolfauction.com.