A top Scottish golfer has explained why he is giving up one of his most prized pieces of silverware.
Aberdeen’s Harry Bannerman has decided to auction off the Ryder Cup trophy which was presented to him after taking part in the 1971 competition in America.
The silver-gilt replica is expected to fetch up to £8,000 at Bonham’s Sporting Sale in Edinburgh on November 5.
Last night, Mr Bannerman, 72, revealed the thinking behind his difficult decision.
“To be honest, the real reason that this trophy is going under the hammer is that I don’t know what else to do with it,” he said.
“I can’t exactly have it cut it into three pieces and divide it amongst my children.
“I thought the best way was to get the money for it and share that out instead.”
He added: “I know that some will presume I’m doing this because I’m skint, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Mr Bannerman, who stays in Banchory, was one of three Scots who played at the 19th Ryder Cup, held at the Old Warson Country Club in St Louis, Missouri.
He won two-and-a-half points out of five, defeating American Gardner Dickinson and halving with Arnold “The King” Palmer in the singles matches.
Mr Bannerman said he still looked back fondly on the event.
“It was great to get the chance to go up against a legend like Arnold Palmer,” he said.
“After all, he was the guy who started the whole thing. He and (sports agent) Mark McCormack developed the idea of a global tour, but also how to market it.
“They decided on branding and a logo. These sort of things were unheard of in the 1950s, but that’s what helped make the competition such a success.”
Mr Bannerman was 29 when he took part in the contest, his one and only Ryder Cup.
Shortly afterwards, his career was cut short by a back injury, which he believes was related to the sport.
Bonhams say the sale of his 12in high trophy is a “very rare” chance for fans to get their hands on an iconic piece of memorabilia from the 1971 Ryder Cup.