The Golfers - Golf's Greatest Artwork?

“The Golfers” by Charles Lees is perhaps the most iconic golf painting in the world. Our resident historian Dr Milton Wayne researches the remarkable story behind the image

Charles Lees, “Allan Robertson”His caddie Allan Robertson was not only one of the first ever golf professionals, at the time he was declared the “Greatest golfer who ever lived”, and was reputed to have never lost whilst playing for money. His playing ability aside, Robertson’s impact on golf cannot be overstated. He was the premier club and ball maker of his generation, mentored Old Tom Morris, designed much of Carnoustie, and created the iconic double greens at St Andrews. It is little known that it was actually Robertson’s death that directly led to the creation of the Open Championship. He was known as “The Champion Golfer” and after he died of jaundice in 1859, a competition was arranged in Prestwick the following year to identify his successor. In fact, the man who arranged that first Open was James Ogilvie Fairlie, who is shown standing behind Playfair in the painting.

The match is taking place during the Annual Meeting of the R&A and those playing are surrounded by many of the members, caddies and other local personalities.

Each character is identifiable and would have been immediately recognizable to many at the time. It’s no exaggeration to say that most of the people featured would warrant a book in their own right - and many have.

This is a fantastic work on so many levels. It has relevance across portraiture, sport, drama, history, landscape and even the birth of photography. “The Golfers” richly deserves its exalted position in the world of golf artworks.

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Click here to see the published article.