Hooked on Autographs

Joe Galiardi ’57, a lifetime collector, has written a book, titled Hooked on Autographs, about his favorite behind-the-scenes stories of tracking down celebrities for their autographs on golf balls. Joe claims to have one of the largest private autographed golf ball collections in the country. I had the chance to interview Joe via a Q&A e-mail about his one-of-a-kind book, published by BookSurge, a division of Amazon.com.

                                                                              Rich Wolfgang
                                                                              President TKE Chapter Alumni Assn.

Joe Galiardi (right) poses with his favorite golfer, Arnold Palmer.

Frater Joe, how did you become a collector of signed golf balls?
I was a born collector. At age 7, I built and collected World War II model airplanes. I went on to save marbles, comic books, stamps, and signed baseball cards. When I was about 15, my collecting days came to an abrupt end when I discovered girls. I got the collecting bug once again when I took up golf in 1986 and started collecting logo golf balls. Needing a more challenging hobby, I began collecting signed golf balls in 1989.

Who signed your first ball?
Arnold Palmer. When I learned that Arnold was playing in the inaugural Transamerica Senior Championship at Silverado Country Club in Napa, California, in 1989, I drove to the famous golf resort to see Arnold in person and obtain his John Hancock. The most popular golfer of all time signed my first ball on October 25, 1989. His autograph launched my extensive collection that now totals 231 signed golf balls on display in my golf room at home in Cupertino, California. I call my unique collection my golf ball family. Each one has a special story.

Tell me about your book?
Hooked on Autographs shares my trials and triumphs of collecting autographed golf balls over the past twenty years from such notables as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Jack Lemmon, Bob Hope, and Joe Paterno, to name just a few of the many celebrities featured in my book. In sixteen spirited chapters, I describe many of my favorite tales in garnering and gathering signed golf balls from best-loved golfers, famous entertainers, notable sports figures, and U.S. presidents. With titles such as “The King,” “Chi Chi,” “Presidents of the United States,” and “Tricks of the Trade,” I share my infectious passion of collecting autographs on golf balls.

Do you have a favorite autograph?
Yes. A local newspaper reporter asked me the same question not long ago. I answered, “Arnold Palmer.” We grew up about 30 miles apart. I’m from Connellsville, Pennsylvania, and Arnie’s from Latrobe. We both belong to the Golf Collectors Society. Besides signing my first golf ball, Arnie has signed two dozen other golf memorabilia items on display in my home. I might add that Chapter 11 is titled, “My Dream Eighteen.” This chapter features my favorite eighteen signed golf balls from individuals who have distinguished themselves by either achieving greatness in their profession or finding fame for accomplishing a heroic feat that will live on in the annals of sports.

I was informed that you are donating a part of your royalties to the Walter Reed Society to help the returning severely wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan who are being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. Tell me more about the Society and why you chose to donate to this organization.
My sister, Rose Marie Mologne, is one of the founders of the Walter Reed Society, a non-profit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Society financially assists the wounded soldiers while they recuperate at Walter Reed.  My wife, Judy, and I, visited with some of the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed on September 11, 2009, and we witnessed firsthand what these disabled soldiers and their families are going through as they try to put their shattered lives back together again. I was convinced that day I was doing the right thing to donate some of my book proceeds to these wounded servicemen and women. I’m proud to be able to financially help our heroes who have made great sacrifices for all of us. I sent my first check from my royalties to America’s wounded GIs for Christmas. 

Where can your book be purchased?
Most book seller websites are carrying my book, including Amazon.com. To preview the book, go on Amazon.com, search for Hooked on Autographs by Joe Galiardi. The price is $13.95 plus shipping. My book can also be purchased from me and I personalize each book. The price from me including shipping is $16.33. To order from me, e-mail me at joe@hookedonautographs.com.

Check out Joe's web site at www.hookedonautographs.com! You can also read more about him in the upcoming edition of The Teke Magazine.
 
Click here to read an article on Joe in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.