Original 1872 Westward Ho! Watercolor
by Francis Powell Hopkins
Francis Powell Hopkins (1830-1900), or "Major Shortspoon", created a virtual history of early golf with his fine pen and ink and watercolors, especially at Royal North Devon Golf Club (Westward Ho!).
This 1872 watercolor painting titled "A Ticklish Putt" depicts Hopkins himself facing a tricky putt with Westward Ho!'s then-recently built "Tin Hut" clubhouse in the background. This painting was once part of a portfolio of paintings done by Hopkins in 1872, a year after the metal clubhouse was built at Westward Ho!
This painting was part of the Westward Ho! collection until 1987 when the club sold off several historic pieces in order to raise funds. 1872 Westward Ho Watercolor Entitled A Ticklish Putt.