A mural featuring the likeness of Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood has been unveiled in Southport as part of the centrepiece of an event activation hosted by golf retailer Scottsdale Golf to celebrate the Open Championship’s return to Royal Birkdale.
Honouring Southport’s own golfing hero, the large-scale artwork has been created on the facade of Southport & Birkdale Sports Club by local muralist Paul Curtis, who has painted around 300 public pieces in the region, including Liverpool managers Jurgen Klopp and Bill Shankly, Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams and Diogo Jota.
Covering the 50m by 20m wall, the work celebrates Fleetwood’s connection to the area and the broader significance of the Open Championship returning to the region. Work on the mural – which takes inspiration from a photo of the 35-year-old competing in the 2023 Ryder Cup – began in mid-June with Curtis spending over a fortnight onsite to complete the installation.
The completed artwork will stand as one of the most prominent pieces of golf-related public artwork in the area, providing a lasting visual tribute during the tournament and beyond.
Bradley Stubbs, Marketing Director at Scottsdale Golf, said: “This is a project that means a great deal to us, not only because of the scale of the mural, but because of what it represents. Tommy’s connection to Southport makes this a natural fit, and working with a local artist to bring that story to life adds another layer of authenticity. We wanted to create something lasting for the town during a significant moment for golf in the region, and this mural is a reflection of that ambition.”
The project forms part of Scottsdale Golf’s wider activation at Southport & Birkdale Sports Club with a full week takeover set to create a central hub for golf fans during the Championship. Running from July 13-19, Scottsdale Golf will transform the venue into a 3,000-capacity destination designed to offer an alternative way to experience championship week outside of the course gates.
As the largest open space in town and the closest fan destination to the golf course, the venue is set to become a key meeting point for golf fans during the week. Big screens will show all of the action from the tournament, as well as the FIFA World Cup semi-finals and final taking place during the week. Food and drink will be available at accessible prices.
At the heart of the activation is a purpose-built 60ft putting challenge, developed in partnership with Easigrass and RL Golf Construction. The experience is complemented by a two-bay Box Golf hitting zone, giving visitors the opportunity to engage directly with the game in a dynamic outdoor setting, with a L.A.B Golf 45-minute custom-fitting experience available for booking.
The site will also feature a dedicated retail space, offering limited-edition Open merchandise from leading brands including J.Lindeberg, adidas, Malbon, BOSS, Reflo and FootJoy, alongside a curated selection of Scottsdale Golf products.
Positioned as a week-long festival of golf, the activation will deliver a broad schedule of activity, including player and celebrity appearances, live entertainment, a dedicated SGTV live show, podcast recordings, plus live Q&A sessions throughout the week. Daily giveaways will also take place, with a host of prizes to be won, including tickets to The Open.
A key moment within the schedule will be Thursday evening’s industry takeover event, which is set to welcome over 500 attendees from across the golf sector.
In addition to the interactive and entertainment elements, the venue will host a premium dining offering, further enhancing the overall experience for visitors across the week. To add to this, Scottsdale Golf is also planning a one-of-a-kind activation that will place the spotlight on one of the region’s most famous sport stars.
Stubbs added: “This is the largest activation we have undertaken around a Major Championship, and it reflects our ambition to create something that genuinely adds to the week for golf fans.
“By bringing together participation, retail, entertainment and hospitality in one space, we’re delivering an experience that extends beyond the course and offers something for everyone across the week. We see this as an opportunity to create a central meeting point during the tournament, where people can engage with the game in a different way.”