A striking new mural of Southport-born golfer Tommy Fleetwood has been completed at Southport and Birkdale Sports Club, just weeks before the 154th Open Championship arrives in the Merseyside seaside town. The artwork, commissioned by Scottsdale Golf and created by local artist Paul Curtis, covers a 50-metre by 20-metre wall and draws inspiration from a photograph of the 35-year-old competing in the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Mural Celebrates Local Hero Ahead of Major Tournament
The mural took approximately two weeks to finish and is now on display ahead of the championship, which begins on July 16 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Fleetwood, who hails from Southport, will be aiming to secure his first major victory on home soil. Thousands of visitors from around the world are expected to travel to the town for the event.
Bradley Stubbs, marketing director at Scottsdale Golf, said: "This is a project that means a great deal to us, not only because of the scale of the mural, but because of what it represents. Tommy’s connection to Southport makes this a natural fit, and working with a local artist to bring that story to life adds another layer of authenticity. We wanted to create something lasting for the town during a significant moment for golf in the region, and this mural is a reflection of that ambition."
Artist Describes Challenges and Community Pride
Paul Curtis, the artist behind the mural, described the work as both demanding and rewarding. "Creating a mural of Tommy Fleetwood ahead of one of golf's biggest weeks has been a real privilege," he said. "Tommy is someone the local community is incredibly proud of, and myself and Scottsdale Golf wanted the artwork to reflect both his achievements on the world stage and his strong connection to Southport."
Curtis noted that the scale of the wall allowed for a highly impactful piece. "The scale of the wall gave us an opportunity to create something truly impactful that people can see and enjoy throughout and after the championship has left town. It has been a demanding project, but seeing the piece come to life and knowing it celebrates both a local sporting hero and a major moment for the region has made it incredibly rewarding."
The mural aims to capture the emotional highs of golf, particularly the exhilaration of sinking a high-pressure putt. Curtis added: "The biggest challenge during the project was working in the intense heat. Alongside the constant need to stay hydrated and regularly apply sun cream, the temperatures also created practical problems with the paint. If I left my palette for even a few minutes, I would often return to find the paint had become sticky or, in some cases, had dried out completely."
Community Engagement and Broader Event Plans
One of the most rewarding aspects of the project for Curtis was the community's response. "People regularly stopped to share stories of knowing him personally or to express how proud they are to see someone from Southport representing the town on the world stage," he said.
The mural is part of a larger Scottsdale Golf takeover at the sports club, which will transform the venue into a 3,000-capacity hub for golf fans during championship week. Running from Monday, July 13 through Sunday, July 19, the hub aims to offer an alternative experience for those unable to attend the tournament at Royal Birkdale. The installation is expected to stand as one of the most prominent pieces of golf-related public artwork in the area, providing a lasting tribute during and after the championship.
