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Take your coat, sir?
Player's first green jacket will be part of memorabilia auction
Posted: Wednesday April 09, 2003 6:28 PM
Updated: Thursday April 10, 2003 3:11 AM
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Player doffs his cap to the gallery after he holes a par putt on the 16th hole in the '64 Masters, in which he finished tied for fifth at 286 with Billy Casper, Jim Ferrier and Paul Harney. Player posted his 2-under-par total despite suffering from tonsillitis. File/AugustaChronicle |
By John Boyette
The Augusta Chronicle
One of the most famous stories about the green jackets awarded to Masters Tournament winners centers on Gary Player and the coat he received for his 1961 Masters victory.
Green jackets are reserved for Augusta National members and the men who win the Masters, and they are kept on club grounds. Removing a green jacket from the premises is against the rules.
Player was unaware of that stipulation. After losing a playoff in 1962 to Arnold Palmer, Player took the jacket to his residence in South Africa. Masters Chairman Clifford Roberts - known for his strict enforcement of club rules - soon put in a call to Player.
"When I won the tournament I took it home. I didn't know you were supposed to leave it there," Player said. "Next thing you know there was a call from Mr. Roberts. 'Gary, have you got the jacket?' I said, 'Yes, I do.' He said, 'Well, no one ever takes the jacket away from here.' And I said, 'Well, Mr. Roberts, if you want it, why don't you come and fetch it?"'
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Player hits out of a sand trap at No. 10 in the first round of last year's tournament. He has played in 45 Masters, more than any other international player. Jonathan Ernst/AugustaChronicle |
Player has kept the jacket in his possession for more than 40 years, but it will soon be sold as part of an auction that involves all of the South African's memorabilia.
"It was very easy. I thought about it," he said of the decision. "I have the best collection in the world. Why do I want to see them rotting on my shelf? I'd rather people enjoy seeing them."
Player has veto power over who buys the collection. His desire is for the items to either be put on display at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., or be part of a museum located at a golf course designed by his firm.
The 1961 jacket is one of the featured items in the auction, which also includes trophies from his nine major championships.
Player can laugh now, but Roberts had the final word on the jacket.
"He kind of chuckled and said don't wear it in public," Player said. "I've got it in my closet with my honors blazer from college. It's next to that, and I've never really worn it anywhere. He said, 'Keep it, but don't wear it in public.' And I never have. And I never will."
Copyright 2003 The Augusta Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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