fairways csg019 troon north 13th hole Dave Chapple

The canvas presents a landscape dominated by a meticulously manicured golf course, set against a backdrop of arid desert terrain. The artist has chosen a vantage point that emphasizes the contrast between these two distinct environments. A vibrant expanse of green, characteristic of a well-maintained fairway, occupies the central foreground and extends into the midground. This area is punctuated by precisely shaped sand traps, their pale tones providing visual relief against the intense greenery.
The composition’s depth is established through receding planes of grass and strategically placed vegetation. A cluster of spiky yucca plants in the immediate foreground introduces a textural element and draws the viewers eye into the scene. Beyond the fairway, a line of towering saguaro cacti punctuates the horizon, their silhouettes sharply defined against a clear, pale blue sky. The artist’s use of color is notable; the greens are saturated and luminous, while the desert elements – the cacti, dry grasses, and distant hills – are rendered in muted yellows, browns, and ochres.
The painting evokes a sense of controlled nature, where human intervention has sculpted a recreational space within an otherwise wild environment. The precision of the golf course’s design suggests order and refinement, while the surrounding desert hints at resilience and untamed beauty. Theres a subtle tension between these opposing forces – the cultivated versus the natural – that contributes to the work’s visual interest.
The presence of the flag on the distant green serves as a focal point, drawing attention to the intended purpose of this carefully constructed landscape: leisure and sport. The overall impression is one of serene beauty tinged with an awareness of human impact upon the environment.