Golden Age Auctions has strongly retaliated against nine-time major champion Gary Player’s desire to take legal action regarding the sale of his replica major trophies.
Gary Player has announced on social media that he will file a lawsuit in response to the 1974 Open replica Claret Jug being sold, but based on Golden Age Auctions’ response, he is going to have a tough time winning this fight.
Golf Digest reports that Player’s replica Claret Jug sold for an incredible $481,068 at Golden Age Auctions recently.
His trophy went up for bid at $5,000.
$481,000. Since there are still auction lots up for grabs, the 20% buyers premium hasn’t been applied yet!
— @GoldenAgeBid (Golden Age) Golf Digest has confirmed that the most recent sale is the second time “this particular Claret Jug replica has been auctioned,” July 29, 2024.
In November 2020, the trophy reportedly brought $143,030 at auction.
This occurred concurrently with Player’s 1978 Masters Trophy, which brought in $253,386, his 1965 US Open trophy, which brought in $97,691, and his 1972 Wanamaker Trophy from the 1965 US PGA, which brought in $80,736.
The total value of all four trophies, according to Golden Age Auctions, was $600,000.
However, Player, 88, claims that two of his imitation trophies have been listed for sale against his will and without his permission.
Player’s post is available to read below.
The player claims that he never decided to go to auction, nor did any of the businesses he is associated with.
The South African says he now intends to take legal action, calling it a “unlawful situation.”
See Mr. Player’s remarks by scrolling below…
tweet.com/Juv5kV7rYJ
— David Porter (@darylpa) August 1, 2024: After the first round of the Men’s Olympics Golf Tournament in Paris came to an end, the player announced the news officially on social media.
Player stated, “I feel that it is necessary for me to correct inaccuracies contained in those articles regarding the recent sale of a replica Claret Jug that I won at the 1974 Open and that was recently auctioned.”
“Neither the 1974 Open Trophy nor the 1974 Masters Trophy were offered for sale by me or any of my businesses.
“As the winner of the corresponding Majors, I was given permission to use and enjoy each of these trophies exclusively.
“Instead of using these items to commemorate my golfing accomplishments, the person tasked with keeping them safe on my behalf has done the opposite by offering them for sale against my will and without my consent.
“The proper actions are being taken by my legal team to address this illegal situation.”
However, Golden Age Auctions has swiftly retaliated, vehemently disputing Player’s assertions.
Golden Age Auctions’ president, Ryan Carey, stated to Golf Digest:
“Mr. Player made some inaccurate claims regarding the sale of fake trophies, which is unfortunate. Gary Player’s company experienced severe cash flow problems soon after the COVID pandemic started, so it contacted several auction houses to sell its collection of replica trophies in order to raise the money needed to pay its employees. After that, Golden Age helped a private buyer and Gary Player’s Black Knight International company complete a deal. The Black Knight of Gary Player received the entire net proceeds of this transaction worldwide. Then, in November 2020, the private buyer put some of the trophies up for public auction, including this exact replica 1974 Claret Jug. When Mr. Player made these contradicting claims today, he was well aware of those sales from back in 2020. Golden Age regards Mr. Player’s accomplishments as a golfer with the highest regard, but his false claims are unacceptable in any situation.”
With nine major victories, the player is ranked T4 all-time. He is one of only five players in the modern era—along with Tiger Woods, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus—to have accomplished the career grand slam.
Player asked R&A officials earlier this week to move The Open back to Trump Turnberry, bringing up the Claret Jug.
Donald Trump, the former US president, is a “very nice man,” according to Mr. Player, who will “improve democracy.”
In an interview with Ben Parsons of Bunked, the player made the remarks.
Turnberry has not hosted the Open since 2009, the year Stewart Cink famously defeated Tom Watson in a playoff.
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