Macdonald Rusacks Hotel welcomes golfing champions

Macdonald Rusacks Hotel hosted golfing greats Sandy Lyle, Tony Jacklin and Roberto De Vicenzo at the unveiling of The Champions Collection of original paintings in the Austen Gallery.

The golfing greats were among the first to view their portraits, which make up part of The Champions Collection of oil paintings by St Andrews artist, Joe Austen, one of the world’s foremost painters of sports portraits.

The Collection, which celebrates 150 years of The Open Championship, pays tribute to golf’s greatest Open Champions in the Home of Golf and Lyle, De Vicenzo and Jacklin were suitably impressed. Roberto De Vicenzo commented ‘Joe Austen – your paintings will get you in to Heaven’ and Tony Jacklin ‘I love the use of the bright colours and how Joe has captured the moment’.

MacDonald Rusacks’ General Manager, Kevin Keenan comments “It is a fitting tribute to golf’s greatest players to have the Collection on display in our hotel, which overlooks The Old Course in the heart of the Home of Golf. A must visit for golf enthusiasts wanting to soak up the atmosphere of The Open, we hope our guests enjoy the artwork alongside our permanent exhibition.”

Joe Austen, The Champions Collection artist adds: “I am thrilled that three of golf’s great champions were able to join us in celebrating the launch of The Champions Collection and I am pleased with their reactions!”

Other great champions have been paying tribute to the art of Joe Austen with Arnold Palmer, Ian Baker- Finch, Sir Bob Charles and Tom Weiskopf visiting the Gallery to meet Joe.

Juan Nicholson, President of the Association of Argentinean Golf, was particularly pleased to receive a limited edition signed giclee from Roberto De Vicenzo (pictured with Joe Austen).

The Champions Collection will be on display throughout The Open alongside the permanent collections in the Austen Gallery at Macdonald Rusacks Hotel. A further series of Champions portraits will be created by the artist and added to the collection on an ongoing basis.

The Collection has been exhibited for the first time during The Open Championship and will continue to be permanently exhibited in the Austen Gallery in Macdonald Rusacks Hotel.

For more information on Macdonald Rusacks Hotel visit: MacdonaldHotels.co.uk/rusacks

For more information on Joe Austen visit: joausten.com