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Lot Essay
The present watercolour is probably one of a number of works that Smart executed towards the end of the 19th Century during a nationwide tour with George Aikman, his engraver, to capture the imagery of Scotland's premier courses, twenty of which were published in A Round of the Links: Views of the Golf Greens of Scotland (1893). These provide a rare insight into the golf courses of the time, a number of which no longer exist.
Golf had been played at Machrihanish since at least 1871, well before the official formation of the club in March 1876, as The Kintyre Golf Club. In 1879 the club sought the expertise of Old Tom Morris, the four-time Open Champion, in extending the 12 hole course to a full 18 holes, the improvements to which lead him to comment that the course seemed to be 'specifically designed by The Almighty for playing golf'.
Golf had been played at Machrihanish since at least 1871, well before the official formation of the club in March 1876, as The Kintyre Golf Club. In 1879 the club sought the expertise of Old Tom Morris, the four-time Open Champion, in extending the 12 hole course to a full 18 holes, the improvements to which lead him to comment that the course seemed to be 'specifically designed by The Almighty for playing golf'.