HARRY "LIGHTHORSE" COOPER - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 1946 - HFSID 283675

"LIGHTHORSE" HARRY COOPER
Signed photo, completing a wood shot, inscribed in 1946 to an even greater golf legend: Bobby Jones
Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Bobby Jones/With All Good Wishes/Sincerely/Lighthorse Harry Cooper/1946". B/w 8x10. English-born Harry Cooper (1904-2000), who moved to the U.S. as a youth, followed in the footsteps of his father Syd Cooper, a prominent professional golfer. He was given his nickname "Lighthorse" by sportswriter Damon Runyon in tribute to his fast style of play. Harry, who turned pro in 1923, was at his death the longest serving member of the Professional Golfers Association. He won 32 PGA tour victories between 1926 and 1942. In his best year (1937), he was the tour's leading money winner and the first winner of the Vardon Trophy, awarded to the player who averages fewest strokes per hole. Surprisingly, he never won any of the 4 tournaments now designated as the "Majors," but finished in the top ten at these events 20 times. He was elected to the PGA Hall of Fame in 1959. Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones (1902-1971), renowned for his sportsmanship as well as his golf skill, never turned pro, but won golf's Grand Slam, all four major events in one year, 1930. He co-designed the Augusta National Golf Club and founded the Masters Tournament, first played there in 1934. By 1946, when Cooper inscribed this photo to Jones, neither was a serious tournament contender, and Jones was in ill health, but they remained two of the games most beloved and respected elder statesmen. Lightly creased - most not visible head-on. Moisture stains on verso - no show-through. Otherwise, fine condition.