Salmond unveils Ryder Cup painting

Sep 28 2012

A painting to celebrate the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland has been unveiled by the First Minister at this year's event in Chicago.

The work by Scottish golf artist Graeme Baxter depicts the second hole on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, Perthshire, with Glendevon and the Ochil Hills in the background. The course is the venue for the next tournament between Europe and the United States.

Alex Salmond unveiled the painting at a Scottish-themed event at the Medinah Country Club in Chicago that included food cooked by Gleneagles executive chef Alan Gibb and music performed by Julie Fowlis.

Mr Baxter, who has some of his work displayed at famous golf courses including St Andrews and Augusta, said he was thrilled to see his latest painting unveiled.

"Gleneagles is not only one of the most beautiful courses in the world, but that is where I played my golf for more than 20 years," the artist said.

"I have been fortunate over the years to get the chance to paint and visit most of the greatest golf courses and clubs in the world, and I always get asked 'if you could only play golf on one of the great courses in the world for the rest of your life, which one would it be?' That is easy I respond. It would be Gleneagles."

A Scottish Government delegation is in Chicago for this year's event to promote sport and trade and attract golf fans to the 2014 contest at Gleneagles. The closing ceremony on Sunday will officially recognise Scotland as the Host Nation of The Ryder Cup in September 2014.

The First Minster was joined by Ryder Cup director Richard Hills and managing director of The Gleneagles Hotel Patrick Elsmie at the Scottish event on the eve of the start of this year's tournament.

Mr Salmond said: "Graeme Baxter has created a beautiful image of Scotland that will become familiar to millions around the world as they watch the Ryder Cup action unfold at Gleneagles in just two years' time.

"Graeme is known internationally for capturing on canvas some of the most famous golf courses in the world and there could be no better artist chosen to depict the Gleneagles course in all its glory ahead of the 2014 event."