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October 29th, 2010
Legendary golfer's signed items yield big bucks at auction
For the Midwest City Chamber of Commerce auction Oct. 25, Mayor Jack Fry secured two big-ticket items from a famous friend. Included in the selection of items for a silent auction and a live auction, Fry contributed an issue of Golf magazine and a baseball cap both signed by golf's "Golden Bear," Jack Nicklaus.
The issue of Golf was a special commemorative edition from 1988 declaring Nicklaus "Player of the Century," with a 40-page tribute. It was signed in black ink on the cover. The tan ball cap with a gold bear embroidered on the front surrounded by a red oval was signed in black ink on the bill. Combined, the two items fetched $1,000.
Other big-ticket items included an electric car, a trip to South Padre Island, and a package for Midwest City firefighters to host a cookout at the winner's venue of choice.
Jennifer Crowel, marketing director for the chamber, said proceeds were still being tallied, but added it looked like it would be a banner year for the event.
The auction has been held since the early 1980s. About 320 people attended to eat dinner and bid on items. Crowel said that is about the average turnout each year. Proceeds from the event go toward yearly operational expenses for the chamber.
FAMILIAR BONDS
Fry is not a close personal friend of the legendary golfer, but the two have met and bonded over the loss of two children. Fry's daughter, Jamie, was killed in a car accident as a teenager while Nicklaus lost a grandson to drowning.
Fry first met Nicklaus in 2004 when Fry's wife, Gail, arranged a surprise birthday meeting between the two in Colorado. She had written a book about the loss of their daughter, "My Journey to Jamie," in 2003, and had sent it to Nicklaus and his wife.
They were moved by the story and Nicklaus provided a blurb on the cover of Gail Fry's next book, "Thinking Out Loud," published in 2005. Fry took a chance asking Nicklaus for something to contribute to the auction, and was shocked when the hat and magazine arrived in the mail.
Fry proudly showed off the collectibles before presenting them to chamber President Kelly Brander on Oct. 14.
photo Kelly Brander (left) and Midwest City Mayor Jack Fry. Photo/Kelley Chambers
The issue of Golf was a special commemorative edition from 1988 declaring Nicklaus "Player of the Century," with a 40-page tribute. It was signed in black ink on the cover. The tan ball cap with a gold bear embroidered on the front surrounded by a red oval was signed in black ink on the bill. Combined, the two items fetched $1,000.
Other big-ticket items included an electric car, a trip to South Padre Island, and a package for Midwest City firefighters to host a cookout at the winner's venue of choice.
Jennifer Crowel, marketing director for the chamber, said proceeds were still being tallied, but added it looked like it would be a banner year for the event.
The auction has been held since the early 1980s. About 320 people attended to eat dinner and bid on items. Crowel said that is about the average turnout each year. Proceeds from the event go toward yearly operational expenses for the chamber.
FAMILIAR BONDS
Fry is not a close personal friend of the legendary golfer, but the two have met and bonded over the loss of two children. Fry's daughter, Jamie, was killed in a car accident as a teenager while Nicklaus lost a grandson to drowning.
Fry first met Nicklaus in 2004 when Fry's wife, Gail, arranged a surprise birthday meeting between the two in Colorado. She had written a book about the loss of their daughter, "My Journey to Jamie," in 2003, and had sent it to Nicklaus and his wife.
They were moved by the story and Nicklaus provided a blurb on the cover of Gail Fry's next book, "Thinking Out Loud," published in 2005. Fry took a chance asking Nicklaus for something to contribute to the auction, and was shocked when the hat and magazine arrived in the mail.
Fry proudly showed off the collectibles before presenting them to chamber President Kelly Brander on Oct. 14.
photo Kelly Brander (left) and Midwest City Mayor Jack Fry. Photo/Kelley Chambers
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