St. Anthony, Patron of Golf, Handmade Ball Marker

Description

I designed and carved the original of the piece, then cast them in lead-free pewter. This unique piece is meant to be used to mark a ball on a green. Golfers, once their ball is on the green, mark the ball’s placement when they are not putting. For this, professionals use a small coin, usually about the size of a dime and often bearing a logo, a lucky symbol, etc., which they keep in a pocket. This handmade ball marker is the size of a dime and thus is perfect for use in play. It has an image of Anthony on the front and his name and crossed clubs on the back. It comes in a jewelry pouch with a card stating: "A 17th century (or earlier) Flemish folktale (see Browning’s 'History of Golf,' p. 9) repeatedly refers to St. Anthony as the patron of golf. The story tells of St. Peter and St. Anthony, both golfers, asking a Flemish wheelwright to fix a club. He does it, and as a reward the saints offer him three wishes. Two of these: that his favorite tavern not close early after a day of golf (a precursor of the 19th hole); and that he become the greatest golfer in the world. Both granted, the wheelwright 'lives happily ever after.' The story says Flemish golfers at this time parted with the words, 'May St. Anthony, patron of golf, be with you on your journey.' This ball marker was handmade at In the Co. of Saints. Besides being a spiritual coach, Anthony (the finder of lost things) can be relied on to find errant golf balls." Dimensions: 3/4 inches diameter; 1/16 in. thick.