PHOTOS: These 16 epic golf artifacts — from a Sam Snead lunchbox to a Tom Kite doll! — are vying for your votes
In the absence of March Madness, the worldwide yearning for single-elimination, bracket-based competitions has never been higher. But for golf fans, there’s good news: there’s never been a better way to scratch your bracket itch.
The World Golf Hall of Fame’s “Memorabilia Madness” bracket is in full swing, and they need your help! Fans who wish to participate can head HERE to vote. The bracket is currently down to its “elite eight,” with voting concluding Saturday, April 4.
Check out the top 16 WGHOF artifacts below!
Juli Inkster’s Solheim Cup Hard Hat
As captain of the 2017 United States Solheim Cup team, Juli Inkster passed out hard hats to every player on her team as a reminder of the blue-collar work ethic they would need to win against Europe.
Charlie Sifford PGA of America Tour Card
Charlie Sifford made history in the early 1960s when he became the first African American to break the color barrier on the PGA Tour.
Larry Nelson Army Dress Coat
Larry Nelson, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, did not actually pick up the game of golf until after he left the service in 1968.
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Lloyd Mangrum’s Half Dollar Bill
Prior to the D-Day Invasion of Normandy during World War II, Lloyd Mangrum and a friend tore a dollar bill in half with the promise that one day they would reunite the two pieces.
Ray Floyd Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat
An avid Chicago Cubs fan, the team issued Raymond Floyd a baseball bat with the engraving “Masters 1976 Champion” following his eight-stroke victory at Augusta National.
Nick Price Locker Room Key
At the 1978 Open Championship in St. Andrews, Scotland, Nick Price retained his locker room key on the off chance he would never play the Old Course again.
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Sam Snead Lunch Box
Childhood lunch box belonging to Sam Snead, who grew up in Ashwood, Virginia, as the youngest of six children and began caddying by the age of 7.
Retief Goosen Golf Outfit
While playing golf with his cousin Henri in South Africa, 15-year-old Retief Goosen was wearing these clothes when he nearly died after being struck by a bolt of lightning.
1999 Ryder Cup shirt
Featuring group portraits from previous U.S. Ryder Cup teams, the much-maligned Sunday shirt reached iconic status after captain Ben Crenshaw’s team came from behind to win the “Battle of Brookline.”
Jack Nicklaus by Andy Warhol
As part of his 1977 Athlete Series, pop artist Andy Warhol painted some of the biggest stars in sports at the time including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dorothy Hammill, Muhammed Ali, O.J. Simpson, Chris Evert, and of course, Jack Nicklaus.
1973 U.S. Open License Plate
License plate from a courtesy car used by Johnny Miller – champion of the 1973 U.S. Open – signed by fellow Hall of Fame members Billy Casper, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and runner-up John Schlee.
Nancy Lopez’s Barbie Doll
As a young girl, Nancy Lopez’s father Domingo would dangle the prospect of a new Barbie doll for his daughter if she won a golf tournament.
JoAnne Carner Solheim Cup Rally Cap
With her team tied 5-5 heading into Singles on Day 3, 1994 U.S. Solheim Cup team captain JoAnne Carner doffed this star-spangled rally cap as her team took eight out of 10 available points to capture the Cup.
Annika Sorenstam ‘59’ Scorecard
Annika Sorenstam cemented her membership into the “59 Club” by shooting the lowest round in the history of the LPGA – a 13-under 59 – during the second round of the 2001 Standard Register Ping in Phoenix, Arizona.
Tom Kite 1992 U.S. Open Doll
With his distinctive visor, glasses, and red sweater, Tom Kite created a lasting memory at Pebble Beach when he won the 1992 U.S. Open, inspiring a fan to create this doll in his likeness.
Ken Venturi U.S. Open Crystal Trophy
The only trophy made of its kind by Waterford in recognition of Ken Venturi’s win at the 1964 U.S. Open and for his humanitarian work on behalf of the handicapped in Ireland and the United States.