Patrick's Blog

St Andrews Links, Hole #17 - Limited edition photo by Patrick Drickey

Here it is:  The special Limited Edition Stonehouse print of hole #17 on the Old Course, now framed and hanging in the St Andrews Links Clubhouse in Scotland.  Signed by all the players in the 2010 (British) Open Championship, it marks the 150^th anniversary of one of the most revered of all golf tournaments.

The famous “Rainbow” image is signed by Stonehouse Collection photographer Patrick Drickey, 1 of only 125 such editions.  It’s believed to be the first photographic image selected for such an honor, according to Drickey, who personally oversaw its production and printing.

The print features a panoramic view of the 17^th green, Swilcan Bridge, the 18^th “Tom Morris” tee and fairway, and the historic R&A clubhouse overarched by a delicate rainbow.  “ It bears witness to the continuation of a tradition,” says Drickey,  “a 150–year-old tradition in which the world’s most talented competitors have displayed their skills – a tradition now celebrated, in part, with the help of the Stonehouse Collection.”

We were delighted to see one of our very own Desk Caddies sitting on the table in the EPSN announcer’s booth during last week’s Open Championship. Looked pretty good – hopefully everyone who has been ordering them think they look great, too.

At about 18 seconds in, they start panning in on the announcers and right there on the left side of the table is one of our very own Desk Caddies! So, for everyone out there wondering what that really attractive-looking box was on the ESPN announcers desk was, now you know. And they make a great gift, too!

2010 marks the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship, and we’re extremely honored that an image from the Stonehouse Golf Collection has been selected to help recognize this important milestone:  A special Limited Edition gicleé of our “Rainbow” image of hole #17 on the Old Course will be signed by all of the players and hung in the St. Andrews clubhouse.

I personally oversaw the print’s production and numbering – 1 of only 125 editions – and I believe this is the first time a photographic image has been selected for this purpose, so I’m very grateful.  It’s the best of all possible scenarios for Stonehouse.  We’re here to create and preserve lasting memories of golf, and this image, with its panoramic view of the 17th green, Swilcan Bridge, the 18th “Tom Morris” tee and fairway, and the historic R&A clubhouse overarched by a delicate rainbow, is a fitting tribute to the game’s oldest and most revered Championship.

This week, as you watch the drama of the Open Championship unfold, you might give a thought to the fact that you’re seeing more than a golf tournament.  You’re witnessing the continuation of a historic tradition, a tradition in which the world’s most talented competitors have displayed their skills – a tradition now celebrated, in part, with the help of the Stonehouse Collection.

Best regards,

Patrick

Among the year’s most pleasant developments so far is an arrangement between Stonehouse Publishing and Premier Golf, one of the nation’s best-known golf destination travel agencies.

Premier Golf intends to use Stonehouse Mini Prints as confirmation gifts for clients who book golfing tours – customized golf-centric packages that can range from attending the Ryder Cup, to virtually any destination golf course in the UK or U.S.

Patrick Drickey, Stonehouse photographer and founder,  sees the arrangement as a natural extension of both firms’ expertise.  “For over 20 years, Premier has been recognized as the “go-to” travel specialist for golf enthusiasts,” he said, “and the addition of Stonehouse Mini Prints as confirmation gifts is the perfect way to say “thank you” to clients.

“Chris Gurney, Premier’s Director of Business Development told me our first effort for the agency, a Turnberry image, was a ‘huge hit’, and we’re proud of that.  It underscores what we know about how our golf course prints can help meet client-relations goals on an on-going basis.  People tend to hang to our golf prints.”

The Premier Golf print program will include customized stickers, special feltweave envelopes, customized vellum inserts and logos.