By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Historic double portrait of Bonallacks unveiled in Big Room of The R&A clubhouse
A
new portrait of Sir Michael Bonallack and his wife Angela, Lady
Bonallack has been unveiled in the Big Room of The Royal and Ancient
Golf Club of St Andrews clubhouse.
Painted
by renowned portrait artist Paul Brason, it was commissioned to honour
the pair’s ‘lifelong dedication to golf and their distinguished service
to both the club and the sport’.
The work is the first double portrait to be displayed in the Big Room
and replaces an earlier individual portrait of Sir Michael.
Depicting the couple at the height of their amateur golfing careers, the
painting recognises their lasting legacy as ‘two of the most respected
and admired figures in amateur golf’.
Sir
Michael was a five-time winner of The Amateur Championship while he
played for Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup on nine
occasions.
Off
the course, he served with distinction as secretary and then captain of
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews while he also chaired the
Official World Golf Ranking.
Sir Michael Bonallack was hugely admired
Knighted
in 1998 for services to golf and a member of the World Golf Hall of
Fame, he played a vital role in shaping the modern game and was admired
for his ‘leadership, warmth and integrity’.
Angela,
Lady Bonallack was a formidable competitor and a pioneer for women’s
golf. Off the course, she worked tirelessly to promote women’s and
girls’ golf, serving as chair of the English Ladies’ Golf Association
and as president of the Ladies’ Golf Union.
The
commission was overseen by a working group comprising Royal and Ancient
Golf Club members, with key involvement from the Bonallack family.
The
unveiling by Ian Pattinson, captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club
of St Andrews, took place with members of the Bonallack family in
attendance.
"Sir
Michael and Angela, Lady Bonallack made exceptional contributions to
the game of golf and to the life of this club over many decades,” said
Pattinson. “Their dedication, integrity and leadership continue to be
held in the highest regard by members and the wider golf community.
“It
is both fitting and appropriate that they are now commemorated together
in the Big Room, where their legacy will be recognised for generations
to come."
Lady Bonallack died in July 2022 aged 85 and Sir Michael passed away in September 2023 aged 88.
Bonallack family ‘deeply moved’
Robert
Bonallack, the couple’s son, said, “It is deeply moving for our family
to see our parents honoured in this way. The portrait captures not only
their youth and love of the game, but also the strength of their
partnership — in golf and in life.
“The
Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews held a special place in both
their hearts and we are grateful to the club for this lasting tribute.”
