Offered here is the original drawing of Tony Lema as done by Charlie McGill on August 10, 1966, and published in the Bergen Evening Record (Hackensack, New Jersey). McGill drew sports cartoons for Bergen Evening Record, but there was nothing funny about this effort. Instead this drawing is a touching tribute to Lema, whose death just two weeks earlier shocked the golf world. Only 32 years old at the time of his passing, "Champagne" Tony's star was still on the rise. Between 1962 and his death in 1966, Lema had won 12 Tour titles including one major championship—the 1964 British Open.

Beginning in 1954, McGill drew sports cartoons throughout his life. He was one of the few sports cartoon artists who survived the demise of this medium.

The golden era for sports cartoons was the mid 1940s to the mid 1960s.  Nearly every major afternoon newspaper included sports or editorial cartoons. During the 1970s and thereafter, the sports cartoon became a victim of space and then the internet—and slipped into oblivion. Today, sports cartoons are no longer a part of the mainstream newspaper publishing world. 

This outstanding piece measures 13" x 17 1/2" as framed.

Click Here to read an interesting article about Charlie McGill and his illustration skill! This article also includes an interview with him and shows him at work.