Tony Jacklin unveils art collection

Europe’s most successful Ryder Cup captain, Tony Jacklin, has unveiled a commemorative Ryder Cup art collection at St Andrews. The collection displays oil paintings of players who have made the greatest contribution to the Ryder Cup, as selected by the Englishman.

The exhibition consists of painted portraits by renowned golf artist Joe Austen and will be permanently showcased in the Austen Gallery of Champions in Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews, just a few feet from the 18th fairway of the Old Course.

Jacklin, who captained the European Ryder Cup team four times between 1983 and 1989, is sure the collection will be a popular tribute to some of the contest’s biggest stars.

“It goes without saying that the Ryder Cup is very close to my heart,” said the three-time Ryder Cup winner. “I strongly believe that the competition would not have become the worldwide phenomenon that it is today without the sporting greats of the past like Samuel Ryder, Abe Mitchell, Walter Hagen and so many others.

“With this collection that I hope to honour both the historical champions and the present players.” – Tony Jacklin

“The rich history of the Ryder Cup interests me greatly and the idea of capturing this legacy for generations to come inspired me to work with Joe Austen.

“It is with this collection that I hope to honour both the historical champions and the present players who have made, and continue to make, the greatest contribution to the Ryder Cup.”

At this time, 14 portraits are on display at St Andrews, including paintings of this year’s Ryder Cup captains Paul McGinley and Tom Watson. That number will rise to 30 once the Tony Jacklin collection is completed.

Chris Feeney, general manager, Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, is delighted his hotel will host the exhibition and hopes it will further add to the international appeal St Andrews has to golf fans the world over.

“The decision by such a world renowned artist to place the Ryder Cup Collection permanently within our hotel is a tremendous honour,” said Feeney. “I am sure it will prove highly popular with our guests and visitors alike.”

Players selected in Tony Jacklin Ryder Cup collection

The first 14 portraits in Tony Jacklin’s Ryder Cup collection on display in the Austen Gallery of Champions include:

1.      Tony Jacklin

2.      Jack Nicklaus

3.      Tom Watson

4.      Paul McGinley

5.      Seve Ballesteros

6.      Ian Poulter

7.      Arnold Palmer

8.      Samuel Ryder

9.      Abe Mitchell

10.   Walter Hagen

11.   Phil Mickelson

12.   Paul Azinger

13.   Sam Torrance

14.   Ian Woosnam

Exclusive limited edition prints of the collection, co-signed by Tony Jacklin and Joe Austen will be available to purchase from www.rydercupcollection.com