Two original paintings featuring iconic views of the Old Course at St Andrews Links have gone on sale ahead of the 150th anniversary Open Championship at the famous venue in July.
The paintings by renowned Scottish artist Stephen Shankland depict instantly recognisable views of golfers putting on the 17th green of the Old Course with the Road Hole Bunker in view and of golfers teeing off at the 18th hole looking over the Swilcan Bridge back toward the R&A Clubhouse and the town of St Andrews.
Stephen Shankland is well known for his figurative, portrait and landscape painting and won one of the art world’s most prestigious awards when he received the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery in London for a painting of his wife and son entitled “The Miracle”.
Last year he was commissioned to paint a portrait of Arnold Palmer as the legendary golfer celebrated his 80th birthday for the cover of Kingdom magazine.
Kevin Liddle, merchandise manager at St Andrews Links Golf Shops, said, “Stephen’s paintings capture the beauty and atmosphere of the Old Course beautifully. The Old Course will stage the Open Championship for the 28th time in July and it is synonymous with the traditions and heritage of the game. These paintings and prints will make for a very special memento for anyone with an interest in golf who has either visited or aspires to visit the Home of Golf.”
Fergus Bisset of Golf Monthly wrote of Stephen’s painting: “…Stephen has created something unique with his paintings. He’s combined the skills of a portrait painter and those of an expressive colourist to produce golfing images with true character… In my eyes Stephen’s painting delivers on more levels than any other contemporary golfing artist. He conveys the interaction that occurs on a golf course between human and nature. The players depicted are focused on their games, captured in poses instantly recognisable to the golfer. But around them are beautiful surroundings that Stephen expresses with striking colours and rich texture.”
The paintings will retail at five figure sums with prints being available for £595. The paintings can be purchased at the Old Course Shop or through the Mail Order department on 0044 1334 466737. The prints can be purchased at the Old Course Shop or online at www.standrews.org.uk.
All purchases made at the St Andrews Links Golf Shops make a contribution to the preservation and maintenance of the golf courses at St Andrews.