A recently completed work of art depicting the opening tee shot of the first Open was unveiled by the Captain in the Prestwick Clubhouse on Saturday 29 October.
The painting, by renowned Scottish artist Peter Munro, was commissioned by Professor David Purdie, a native of the town of Prestwick, who discovered that no pictorial record existed of the first Open Championship. Extensive research was carried out by Professor Purdie into the weather and tidal conditions at Prestwick on 17 October 1860 to ensure that the painting captured the realism of the day as much as possible.
Tom Morris is shown about to strike the opening shot with Willie Park looking on in the background. The likeness of a number of other key participants in the staging of the event is also included.
The painting will be on display in the Clubhouse until the end of the week. It will subsequently be on display in the British Golf Museum for a period of time.