World Golf Hall Of Fame Uses Marquetry For Inductee Photos

Contact Jane Fader
World Golf Hall of Fame
904-940-4009
or Laurie Casaday
The Robin Shepherd Group
904-359-0981

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (November 4, 2002) - The World Golf Hall of Fame has found a technique nearly as old as the game of golf to honor its current class of inductees. When Tommy Bolt, Ben Crenshaw, Marlene Hagge, Tony Jacklin, Bernhard Langer and Harvey Penick are inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Nov. 15, their images will be displayed in Shell Hall through a late 16th century art form called marquetry.

Marquetry (pronounced mar-kett-ree) is an art form in which thin pieces of wood, metal, or an organic material such as mother-of-pearl, are affixed with veneer in intricate patterns to flat surfaces, primarily furniture. The thin pieces are skillfully placed over an entire surface of a board or piece of furniture, and when completed display a design or picture.

"The marquetry portraits pay homage to six individuals who have made enormous contributions to golf. We think they represent a warm, friendly and unique depiction of the tradition of the game," said Jack Peter, chief operating officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame. "We are grateful that Tony Jacklin introduced us to this technique for which we now share a fondness."

The marquetry pieces honoring the six 2002 Inductees will be 41" wide by 46" tall images that will hang in Shell Hall. The portraits require four months to produce and are being handcrafted in Europe by artists skilled in the trade.

Jacklin is regarded as the first person to adopt the technique to golf imagery. He re-introduced himself to his childhood hobby when he joined the SENIOR PGA TOUR in 1993.

"I was looking for something to occupy my time while I was on the road and I had always enjoyed woodcraft growing up," explained Jacklin. "I find it very relaxing. Often when I'm doing it I'm thinking of how to improve my wedge play or some other facet of my game."

Each image will contain up to 20 types of wood in hundreds, if not thousands, of various shapes, sizes, and colors, which will form a composite image resembling a rich, three-dimensional oil painting.

The Nov. 15 Induction Ceremony will bring the total number of World Golf Hall of Fame members to 96. The marquetry portraits will be open to the public on Nov. 16.

About World Golf Hall of Fame

The World Golf Hall of Fame is the centerpiece of World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., and is a collaboration of 26 national and international golf organizations, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Augusta National Golf Club and the PGA of America. The facility houses interactive displays, historic artifacts, a special exhibit gallery, an IMAX Theater and the Hall of Fame itself, which honors the game's greatest players and contributors.

The World Golf Foundation oversees the World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee, GOLF 20/20: Vision for the Future and the National Minority Golf Foundation. It receives support from associations and companies throughout the golf industry, both in the U.S. and abroad.

As sole founding partner of World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays the lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.