This putter was used by Francis Ouimet on tour from 1915 to 1920 (it was not used in the 1913 US Open, but it is memorabilia for fans). It was manufactured in 1915. It is a rare model “20 1/2″ as you can see from the stamp on the shaft. A collector of MacGregor putters tells me it is the first he has ever seen. This is the real deal, 100% authentic. History of this putter. Francis Ouimet said that this putter was given to him by “an old Scotsman” when Ouimet was in England and suffering putting pains. He used it from 1915 to 1920 on tour. But please note that it is a 1915 putter, and was not used in the 1913 US Open (the putter he used in the 1913 tournament can be seen in the video link below). Ouimet gave the club as a gift to his good friend Kennedy N. Clapp in Lubbock, Texas. This is validated by a letter of authenticity from him. On July 28, 1964, he gave the putter a local collector he had read about in the newspaper, E. “Dode” Forrester, the golf pro at the club in Hobbs, New Mexico. Dode was my grandfather, and was named the PGA Golf Professional of The Year once while he was alive. Clapp said that he knew Dode would appreciate the putter and take good care of it. Now, my mother and I wish to express our deep appreciation and respect for this special putter, and wish years of enjoyment to its new owner, as we know it was the prized possession of my grandfather. Bill Hart’s article on your collection of old golf clubs and books interested me. The old Crawford, McGregor & Conley brass putter has an interesting history. It was given to me in 1920 by Frances Ouimet. It was given to him to him by an old Scotsman when Ouimet was in England and suffering putting pains. He used the putter several years. So did I but that putter would not perculate for me as it did for Ouimet. I saw Ouimet, Vardon, and Ray replay their famous Brookline match. Vardon had the most rhythmic swing I have ever seen with the possible exception of Bobby Jones. Vardon’s swing was pure poetry. She asked me to correct some historical information about her grandfather, and out of respect, the information below has been edited. She commented, Our family is just happy that his memorabilia is being cared for and people still think of him with the history of golf. Hopefully it will find a good home, more so find someone who would like to display it in a place people can appreciate it. About the putter itself. Vintage original 1915 Crawford, MacGregor & Conley, Dayton Ohio putter with hickory shaft as was used by Francis Ouimet. Any customizations or non-original aspects were as used by Francis Ouimet, other than polishing the club head. Brass club head, very rare design with center horizontal weighting, instead of the more common mass located at the bottom of the club, as on most vintage MacGregor clubs. It appears to have been modified for Ouimet with some sort of weighting, as is visible in the pictures. The club head is drilled-through, sort of like a modern Callaway design, so that the shaft actually shows at the heel of the club head. We don’t know if this was factory original, or if it was customized for Ouimet’s use. Very rare club either way. I would love to keep it for display but cannot afford to keep it. If anyone knows of a similar putter for sale, or any other information of this club, or photos of it with Ouimet, please tell me so I can report it here. Other clubs for sale. Please contact me if you are interested in any others, or a package deal. Also many others for sale that are not yet listed, including; “The Mills Y Model” 1900 – 1910 Standard Golf hickory shaft aluminum head Upright Lie 9. This note is to buyers who like to haggle: No, I will NOT reduce my price. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER WILL THERE BY ANY DISCOUNTS, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SALE. Any buyers who attempt to extort me post-sale will be told to return the club. I WILL NEVER OFFER A DISCOUNT SO DO NOT ATTEMPT TO HAGGLE, SCAM ME, ETC. I would rather pass this club on to my kids than let some insulting cheapskate enjoy it. The current price represents a value drop, and there are not any other Ouimette clubs on the market. If you want a Ouimette club, this is it. Either that or you can go look at the ones in the PGA museum, which will not be for sale. Information about Francis Ouimet. FRANCIS OUIMET, 1913 U. Open Champion American Golf’s Greatest Hero. There was much debate over whether Francis should be among the inaugural inductees of the Golf Ball Factorys Hall of Club Champions. As one of the initial requirements of the hall, is that the individual never have played professional golf. (This has since been changed) And Francis had lost his amateur status. Well, it turns out that Francis was deemed professional because he was part owner of a sporting goods store. And that made him a professional golfer? The truth is the closest that Francis came to playing professional golf was his exhibition play for the U. At 16 years old went to work for Wright & Ditson’s sporting goods store on Washington Street in Downtown Boston. Anyway Francis was invited to play in the 1913 US Open golf tournament because they needed one more player. Francis was an amateur, a decent player and available. But to let you know how little thought the USGA gave this gesture: they didnt have a caddy for him! He ended up with an 10 year old kid with an injured foot named Eddie Lowery toting the bag. All quite charming in the first couple rounds I’m sure. Then Francis not only made the cut but played his way into contention. Shooting a stunning 74-79 on the 2nd day of play to force himself into a 3-way playoff with Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. In 2012 a parallel to this would be for Joe the Ranger Picker forcing himself into a 3-way playoff for US Open with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickleson! Vardon and Ray were the number 1 and number 2 golfers in the world at the time. Anyway Francis was invited to play in the 1913 US Open golf tournament because they needed one more player , Francis was an amateur, a decent player and available. The morning of the playoff, September 20, 1913, it was deemed that Francis should have a real caddy, now that all but three from the field had been eliminated and several caddies were available, rather than this young and somewhat brazen boy. Francis Ouimet, forever the gentleman, simply replied, No thank you. I’ll stick with Eddie. Well, be damned, then he goes out and becomes the 1st amateur and only the second American to win US Open, and does it with a 10 year old caddy at that! Needless to say when the final putt dropped the place went wild! The marker for Francis in this “Game of Golf” was none other than Bernard Darwin considered by many as the best golf writer of all time and “the originator of the species”. His description of the event is direct and to the point, “The most momentous win in all golfing history”. (May 8, 1893 September 2, 1967) was an American amateur golfer who is frequently referred to as the “father of amateur golf” in the United States. And was the first non-Briton elected Captain of the. Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. He was inducted into the. World Golf Hall of Fame. Video: Francis Ouimet’s clubs from the 2013 US Open. (please note again, this club was not used in that tournament, he used it afterwards on tour). Video: Gold Channel’s Ouimet section. Video: Trailer to the movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played” (about Ouimet). Video: Ouimet shocks the world in 1913 US Open. The item “Francis Ouimet Original Vintage Putter with authentication, Antique 1913 US Open” is in sale since Friday, October 20, 2017. This item is in the category “Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop\Vintage Sports Memorabilia\Golf Clubs”. The seller is “treasures_de_gigi” and is located in Eagle Grove, Iowa. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Type: Putter
• Year: 1915
• Brand: MacGregor