Wednesday, March 17, 2010

March 17 Report: Errie Ball

Today's success is one of those where you know 99.9 percent of sports fans -- and probably 99 percent of golf fans -- won't have any idea who you are talking about, but I'm thrilled to bits anyway.

I sent my last two Masters Tournament logo golf balls out about a week ago (hopefully I can get some more when the tournament is held in a few weeks) with the hopes of having them signed by Jackie Burke Jr (the earliest living Masters Tournament winner) and Errie Ball, the only living person who played in the inaugural Masters Tournament in 1934.

Well today one of those golf balls was returned and it was signed in black Sharpie by Ball. Ball, who will turn 100 this year, has seen more things in golf than any of us could imagine. He was a personal friend of Bobby Jones and has witnessed everything the year's first major championship has to offer over the last 76 years.

In 1926 Ball became the youngest player to ever compete in the British Open at age 15.

I'd give a significant sum to just sit around and listen to him tell stories for an hour.

To make this autograph even cooler, Ball inscribed it with "1934".

These are the feelings that make this hobby so rewarding!


Day of the Year: 76
Number of Autographs This Year: 110

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