President Nixon’s personally-owned and -used personalized Titleist golf ball, embossed in black type on one side, “Dick Nixon.” It also bears manufacturer’s marks that read “Titleist,” “8,” and “Acushnet DT.” The ball exhibits general marks and discoloration with signs of use. Accompanied by a navy blue golf tee embossed in yellow down the side, “Richard Nixon.”
Includes a detailed letter of provenance on White House letterhead from the wife of Melvon O. Carter, who had worked on the White House maintenance crew from the time of Presidents Hoover through Nixon. During Mr. Carter’s over 40 years of White House service, he was often in close proximity to the first family. In part: “My husband, Melvon O. Carter…had worked for The White House from the time of President Herbert Hoover until President Richard Nixon…The President Richard Nixon golf ball is not a presentation golf ball. It was a personal golf ball owned and used by President Nixon while practicing his game on the White House South Lawn. M. O. Carter picked it up after the President hit it. The golf ball is marked Dick Nixon in black…This is a personal possession of the President. It is not a routine gift ball, which are common. It should be preserved for this reason. According to M. O. Carter, President Nixon was not the most coordinated golfer in Presidential history. President Eisenhower was better and President Kennedy was a much better golfer. M. O. only judged athletic ability. He did not make judgments concerning Presidential greatness.” Hampered by both a lack of talent and little experience, Nixon had not taken up golf until he was vice president, as a way to spend more time with his ‘boss,’ the avid golfer Dwight D. Eisenhower. An uncommon presidential golf ball and tee ensemble.
