Albersheim's 2016 May Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/14/2016
Rarely do PGA Championship trophies ever enter the collector’s market. We can count on one hand, maybe 2 hands of the trophies that have ever been put up for public auction. They seem to be one of those awards that golfers hand down from generation to generation. However, in the case of Mark Brooks; he and his wife Cynthia decided that rather than gather dust or sit in storage; why not offer these treasures to collectors who would actually enjoy owning them. When we first spoke about offering his collection, he told me he’d rather put the money towards his grandchildren’s education. Makes sense to us. After all, Mark Brooks is still active on the PGA and PGA Senior’s tour. His name will be forever enshrined in infamy in the record books.
So without further ado, we offer for the very first time ever his actual 1996 Wanamaker Trophy given to him immediately following his victory at the 1996 PGA Championship.
This is the namesake loving cup of Rodman Wanamaker, who was the heir to a department store empire (out of Philadelphia). Wanamaker wanted to improve the perception of professional golfers as merely "hired help" with the creation of The Professional Golfers Association of America in 1916. The permanent trophy is passed from winner to winner each successive year, but a smaller replica is awarded in perpetuity, this is the 16” tall version presented here. This is one of the most important golf awards ever to reach the public auction block. The gorgeous sterling relic is engraved on the body of the cup, "Annual Championship of the Professional Golfers Association of America, Rodman Wanamaker Trophy," while a band encircling the wooden base attributes the prize to "1996 Champion Mark Brooks."
Additionally, this trophy is accompanied by the 1996 PGA Championships Annual which served as the official book/history of that year (put out the following year to cover the history of the previous year). There are several pictures of Mark inside the book and on the first page of the book Mark wrote, “Hope you enjoy the spoils of victory as much as I have, All the best, Mark Brooks ’96 PGA Champion.”
Measures almost 17” in height
One of the most important items we have ever offered for sale!
COA – Mark Brooks