SP Authentic offering plenty of signatures

Posted Apr 11, 2012 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Apr 11, 2012 at 10:11 PM

One thing I always remembered while covering golf tournaments years ago was how readily players were willing to sign autographs. If approached politely, I don’t think an autograph seeker was ever turned down. At least I never witnessed it. I am sure that the bigger names sometimes have to refuse, but the rank-and-file guys always were accommodating.

Of course, getting autographs from Upper Deck’s SP Authentic set will be a little more challenging, since they will be randomly inserted in packs when the set comes out in July.

Upper Deck released a few more images from its upcoming set, and Masters champion Bubba Watson already had been on the autograph list. The photos that accompany this post show at least one of the single autograph cards, plus another one touting his long-driving ability with fellow PGA Tour pros Gary Woodland and Dustin Johnson.

The Sign of the Times 7 card, also shown in this post, will feature seven signatures of members of the United States’ 2010 Ryder Cup team. The front side of the card will have four autographs — Watson, Corey Pavin, Hunter Mahan and Steve Stricker. The back of the card will carry three autographs —Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson.

Upper Deck also plans to have a card that features the signatures of Watson and Tiger Woods. They will be part of an eight-signature card of members of the 2011 U.S. Presidents Cup team. The others will be Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson and Bill Haas. UD officials say the card likely will be numbered to three.

That would be an interesting card to pull.

As an aside, here is the ultimate golf autograph I’d love to see. Not sure Upper Deck has the contractual rights or ability to pull it off, but I’d love to see a card bearing the signatures of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Make it a 1/1 if necessary.

Enough daydreaming. This crop of signatures should pique plenty of interest as the PGA Tour hits the meat of its schedule.