Description:

Golf



Sam Snead and Robert Trent Jones TLS: Fantastic Golf Collaboration Content!

 

1p TLS signed by two of the twentieth century's golfing greats!

 

An informal business contract dated December 3, 1951 signed by Samuel Jackson Snead (1912-2002) as "Sam Snead" and by Robert Trent Jones (1906-2000) as "Robert Trent Jones," both in blue ball-point pen on the second page. The first page was typed on "Robert Trent Jones / 20 Vesey Street / New York 7. N.Y." letterhead, while the second page was typed on a different sheet of low opacity watermarked cream paper. Three typographical edits appear in pen and pencil throughout the text. With expected light folds, wrinkles, and a small corner fold, else near fine. 8.5" x 11".

 

The letter outlines the terms of a business agreement between Jones, a prolific golf course architect, and Snead, a celebrated professional golfer. The two proposed to collaborate on a chain of golf clubs and driving ranges. The golfing venues bearing Snead's name would be designed by Jones and marketed by Snead.

 

In part:

 

"This is to verify the verbal agreement made between us in our conversation at the Yale Club with regard to the use of your name in the development of a national chain of driving ranges and short hole golf courses bearing the mane name of SAM SNEAD and designed by me.

 

One of the main features of the SAM SNEAD COUNTRY CLUBS will be movies; you will narrate them, giving lessons and instructions plus the dubbing in of various famous golfers with explanations of their styles and methods of play; pointing out the errors of the average golfers and so on1 [sic]. You agree to make such a series of movies as part of your contribution to the development of the chain. You also agree to make personal appearances at each of the chain's outlessts at least twice a year. You will make it a point to visit the local SAM SNEAD COUNTRY CLUB at any time you are in the area where one is located, and thereby obtain the proper publicity through television, newspapers, etcetera. Once a year, at White Sulphur Springs, you will conduct a golf school of a week's duration to teach the instructors at the SAM SNEAD COUNTRY CLUBS…"

 

The business collaboration promised to be extremely lucrative. Snead would receive between $1,500-$2,000 (or $9,700 - $19,400 in 2018 currency) for performing public relations duties for each golf course. Jones expected each golf course to yield somewhere above or below a threshold of $100,000 in profits, which would be the equivalent of almost $1,000,000 in 2018 currency, and he anticipated designing and constructing at least 25 golf courses!

 

Sam Snead, called "Slammin' Sammy" in acknowledgement of his effortless swing, was at the height of his professional golfing career in the early 1950s. In 1950, he had won 11 events and the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average. In early July 1951, Snead had won the 33rd PGA Championship in Oakmount, Pennsylvania. Snead maintained strong ties to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, mentioned by Jones in the letter. It was here that Snead became head pro at the Greenbrier Resort in 1944.

 

Snead had started his golfing career at age 7 as a caddy, and had become a professional golfer by the early 1930s. Over his 40+ year career, he won 82 PGA Tour events including 7 Majors. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.

 

Robert Trent Jones was equally famed as a golf course designer. He modified existing courses, or created original designs, for 500+ golf courses located in 35 countries. He too was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1987.

 

A perfect piece of golfing memorabilia for any enthusiast!

 


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