Artist in residence brushes up for Dubai World Championship

Golf mad artist Mark Robinson will be able to combine his two greatest passions when he brings paints, brushes and easel to the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in his role as the tournament’s official ‘artist in residence’.

The tournament – the final event in The European Tour’s Race to Dubai – will see 60 of the world’s greatest players fight it out over the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 25-28 with Robinson there to capture every moment on canvas.

“I was delighted to be commissioned to produce two paintings of last year’s winner Lee Westwood and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of painting on what is a magnificent golf course,” said Robinson.

“The first couple of days were spent making sketches of many of the players, while for the final two days most of my time was spent alongside the 18th green but as we didn’t know who was going to be the ultimate winner, I painted quite a few of the main competitors.”

As well as eventual Dubai World Championship and Race to Dubai winner Westwood, Robinson also produced works on Miguel Angel Jimenez, Henrik Stenson and Rory McIlroy with Spaniard Jimenez so impressed he commissioned his own painting.

This year Robinson will again be in residence and the man from Northern Ireland – a golf lover for 25 years – is looking forward to the unique challenge of capturing one of the greatest sporting and social events in the UAE. And for art-loving golf fans, there will be the chance to buy a Robinson original in the Championship Village.

“The contrast between the colours of the fairways, the greens, the flame coloured rough chippings and the white bunkers is absolutely beautiful,” he added. “While you have to have a good sense of humour to put up with many of the comments of the spectators, it’s a wonderful experience for an artist and I’m thoroughly looking forward to it.”

With around 60,000 spectators expected to flock to the Greg Norman-designed Earth course for the culmination of The Race to Dubai, event officials are urging fans to get their free tickets in advance by registering at the official event website.

As well as defending champion and European Number One Westwood, the line up of world-class players will include three current Major champions in the shape of Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen and Graeme McDowell, while the winning European Ryder Cup team will swap team camaraderie to go on the hunt for individual glory in the $7.5 million tournament.

In addition to DP World – Presenting Sponsor for the second year in succession – the Dubai World Championship is supported by Premium Partners Rolex, Emirates, and BMW; Sponsors Atlantis, CNN, The National and Polo/Ralph Lauren; and Event Supporters Dubai Duty Free, MMI, TNT and Toshiba