AUCTION BLOCK: GUNGA GALUNGA

Looking for golf mementos? It's not a simple science.

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"I think walking the plank is a bit hasty, no? Ok. Tough crowd."

Following the U.S. team's victory in the Ryder Cup this weekend, we got to thinking: When a baseball player performs an astounding feat, his uniform is on the next train to Cooperstown. When a football team wins a big game, their gear heads to Canton. So where is golf's famous stuff? And is a Yankees jersey different than Ian Poulter's sweaty plaid pants?

There is no one place. The PGA Historical Center in Port St. Lucie, FL nabs some stuff. The World Golf Hall of Fame just up I-95 in St. Augustine gets other items. If something memorable happens at an event sanctioned by the United States Golf Association, their museum gets dibs, though sleight of hand is sometimes necessary.

"I stole the hat right off Rocco Mediate's head after the U.S. Open playoff with Tiger." says USGA Museum Director Rand Jerris. "He is such a great personality, it was our most popular exhibit throughout the summer".

This player-driven approach to golf collecting has not always been the norm. Collector Jeffrey B. Ellis sold his personal collection of clubs at Sotheby's last autumn, but the value of the items had more to do with the name of each club's designer than it did with the name of any duffer who may have swung it. One seventeenth-century putter with a rudimentary iron head went for $151,000. The entire collection garnered more than $2 million.

For many collectors, the technological evolution of the sport is more interesting than the players.

"We've made a conscious shift toward great players and great moments," says Jerris. "Golf is about people, and our staff is always watching for historic happenings."

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"You scratched my anchor!"

While the USGA did not sponsor the Ryder Cup, they are becoming more aggressive about pursuing mementos from other golf events. Don't be surprised if a little bit of Valhalla makes it to Far Hills, New Jersey this season.

Collectors of more modest means still find ways to bring home personal trophies from big events. eBay seller Nicole—known as "hot_babe_from_columbus_ohio" online—bought a mass-produced pin flag and set out to make it more personal and valuable by garnering the signatures of each squad's captain.

According to Nicole, Paul Azinger was a relative piece of cake. She merely waited in the hot sun until it was her turn for a quick scribble. Euro captain (and Harrison Ford lookalike) Nick Faldo proved to be a more difficult catch. "Nick tries to avoid walking in high-traffic areas, and he discriminates on what he will sign," she says. "I caught him outside the broadcast booth one evening and had to beg him to sign the flag. He made me promise not to sell them."

So much for that promise. You can get your grubby mitts on the crystal skull here.

Other golf items on eBay:

Flag signed by both teams: If hot_babe had to beg to have just the captains sign, imagine what went down in getting all 28 guys to add signatures. It must have been humiliating.

Autographed Ryder Cup hat: This guy didn't have to lie, cheat or steal to get Azinger and Faldo to sign. He just had to carry their golf clubs during the practice round.

Vintage 1927 Ball Marker: From the first-ever Ryder Cup. Elegant in its simplicity.

1973 Arnold Palmer Money Clip: Money clips just seem so appropriate for golf, don't you think? Probably not owned by Palmer, as it also comes in a 1975 Jack Nicklaus version that looks exactly the same.

1969 Golf Guide signed by Byron Nelson: This is way cooler than the Tim Conway-autographed copy of Dorf on Golf we bought last week.

Got questions, comments, cool swag? Contact us at collectespn@gmail.com

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