Golf Art

Written by: Jim Fitzpatrick	12:54 PM PST - 3/12/2009
Photography by:	|  Next Photo

Recently, I was asked to create an archival wall display case for Green Hills Country Club in Millbrae, California, just south of San Francisco.

Their classic Spanish style clubhouse of 78 Years, designed by renowned architect, Willis Polk, had gone through numerous changes. Another facelift or remodel just wouldn't do. The membership decided to tear the grand old clubhouse to the ground and start over. The new design maintained the elegant Spanish hacienda style and is laid out to serve all the needs of a modern membership.

They weren't about to forget their beginnings. However, to pay homage to the now famous course designer, Dr. Alister MacKenzie, and their unique history,
a 15' wall display case and nearby alcove were designed. “Could I do it? …piece of cake.” I thought. “Hellooo…another shrewd business move!” It only took twice as long and cost twice as much as I estimated.

What a history! It was like quicksand. Once I got into it, there was nowhere to go but deeper and deeper. There were several thousand archived photos, a mini storage unit full of memorabilia, news paper and magazine articles from 1927, and on.

• Ken Venturi was a junior member.

• The likes of Byron Nelson, Bing Crosby, Lefty O'Doul and Ty Cobb graced the fairways with exhibitions even Tony Lema.

• In 1959 Bob Rosburg played in the Green Tee Invitational (the member-guest) and yes, he was the reigning PGA champion at that time.

• During the depression slot machines in the clubhouse helped keep the club going financially.

Although MacKenzie designed the course none of his original drawings remain. The alcove would be a perfect place for an original course layout. So, I worked from a 1941 aerial photo and painted the course as near as possible the way MacKenzie designed it.

I applied thin layers of plaster, glazes and antiquing to the canvas, giving the impression of a very old fresco style work of art. The statue of Alister MacKenzie standing 4 feet tall and weighing 220 pounds of pewter was the finishing touch!

Well, it wasn't exactly a piece of cake, but it turned out pretty darn good!