Scarce C1910 Golf Club Willie Dunn Smooth Face Hickory Shaft England

This smooth face club is stamped on the back "WILLIE DUNN - NEW YORK". The leather grip is in good condition, and the slightly bent hickory shaft sports a nice aged patina.

Measures 39 inches from heel to top of shaft and is probably a MASHIE although it is not marked as such. There are various small dings, mild pitting to the metal surface and examples of wear commensurate with this club's 110+ years of age and use.

Offered is this very scarce, circa 1900, Willie Dunn, Smooth Face Hickory Shaft Golf Club. Although smooth face golf clubs fell out of fashion by the very early 1900s, they were still offered in catalogues for a number of years beyond this date. This smooth face club is stamped on the back "WILLIE DUNN - NEW YORK". The original appearing leather grip is in fair condition with some loss, and the hickory shaft sports a nice aged patina. Measures 37 inches from heel to top of shaft and is probably a MASHIE NIBLICK although it is not marked as such. There are various small leading edge dings, minimal pitting to the metal surface and examples of wear commensurate with this club's 110+ years of age and use. Of English origin, Willie Dunn settled with his wife and son in New York. His first professional position was at the Ardsley Country Club, Ardsley, New York, where he designed the course and established a club-making business in 1896. Not only was he a very talented golf club maker, he was also an accomplished professional golfer, finishing 2nd in the inaugural US OPEN. He also had gained a fine reputation as an outstanding golf course designer. Please refer to some wonderful history on his life on WIKIMEDIA. INTERESTING INFO In an interview Willie Dunn remembered he was the first to play with the rubber-cored ball which had just been invented. Dunn was on a train traveling from Chicago to New York when he received a telegram asking him to stop over in Cincinnatl, where he found a man named Haskell waiting for him. The gentleman told Willie Dunn he had invented a new golf ball and he told Dunn that he would give him $500 If he would try it and pass favourably upon it. Dunn stopped off and tried the ball, he just teed up the rubber core and was charmed by the sweet way it left the club. He just signed the recommendation and was the first pro to play the Haskell ball.