The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews

This coming week sees The 150th Open Championship being held at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews and so I thought a short post with just a few paintings of that Course and a couple of other Open Golf Venues would be in order.

The Old Course at St Andrews was first established in 1552,  470 years ago!

First of all the view from the Swilcan Bridge up to the Clubhouse on the Left and the 18th Green

The Clubhouse and 18th hole and the Swilcan Bridge

Many think that The Old Course at St Andrews represents the ultimate golf challenge with its narrow bumpy fairways, small or in some case double greens, and fearsome rough in the summer.

And add to all that the changeable and often strong wind that blows on the East Coast of Scotland and this is a truly formidable challenge to any golfer.

With the World’s finest Golfers taking on the Challenge this coming week ,and trying to win the coveted Claret Jug it will be four days of massive excitement around the world.

Across on the West Coast of Scotland lies the fine Golf Course at Turnberry. With it’s great views of Ailsa Craig off the shore and long, fast fairways, deep rough and again very tricky winds this is also a very difficult previous Open Golf venue. Turnberry was last a Venue for the Open in 2009 but is not listed at present for future Opens.

Ailsa Craig seen from Turnberry Golf Course

In 2019 and previously in 1951 The Open was held at Royal Portrush Golf Course in Northern Ireland. It will host the 2025 Open as well.

Founded in 1888 The Club achieved Royal patronage in 1895 from the then Duke of York.

This watercolour shows the 5th Green and Whiterocks Bay beyond.

Portrush is on the spectacular Antrim Coast Road in Northern Ireland, featured on this blog many times.

The 5th Green at Royal Portrush Golf Course on the dramatic Antrim Coast

Scotland is a Country of magnificent scenery and over 580 Golf Courses. There are countless wonderful beaches too and  to give you some examples here are just two watercolour of places at the far North of Scotland, painted for commissions some years ago.

The Sea Stack at Sandwood Bay in the North west of Scotland, sometimes described as the most beautiful and unspoilt bay in the UK

Balnakeil Beach and Bay near Durness in the North West of Scotland

If like me you will be watching and enjoying The Open Golf I hope it turns out to be exciting and fun for all involved. If you don’t play golf just enjoy the Scottish scenery.

Happy travelling

Brian

There are quite afew new watercolours for sale on my Www.Artfinder.com/brianswatercolours   Site

Please do check them out

Thanks

Brian