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Beyond The Passion

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Product Code: AHA_3000

Editions

Artist's Proof Edition (signed by Steve and Jim Dent) Framed [Add $1,250.00]
Artist's Proof Edition (signed by Steve and Jim Dent) Unframed [Add $1,000.00]
Regular Edition (signed-numbered by the artist) Framed [Add $550.00]
Regular Edition (signed-numbered by the artist) Unframed [Add $300.00]

Description

Recently, I witnessed a great interview with legendary golfer Arnold Palmer in which he spoke of how he played the game of golf not for money but, for the great passion he has for the game. I thought about the enormous amount of money won on the tour and was blown away when I saw the serious look in his eyes as he explained a passion for the game that can drive you to the highest heights of excellence and success.
At the time of this interview I was working on this painting of Jim Dent in which is the first in a series honoring the great contribution of African American Golfers to the PGA I was very much aware of the fact that their journey was filled with adversity and I began to realize somewhat of how difficult it was for them to succeed in spite of the adversity and to go "Beyond the Passion." I began to clearly see this group of athletes who had carried themselves with such class in the face of great obstacle, quietly paving the way for Tiger Woods and others who would follow.

My realization took a deeper turn when I started to think of those who paid the great price of challenging the idea that African Americans could not compete in tournaments, eat in restaurants or stay in hotels. These were people with a passion for a game they were never allowed to play. Some even died never accepting the present obstacles. But, hoping for the day when their dream would someday be realized in the lives of their children or grandchildren, they exercised a passion for this great game.

When I witnessed Jim Dent winning the 1994 Brunos' Memorial Classic, I could feel something beyond the golf course, a feeling of pride beyond the grave and generations past. In the painting, I included a shaft of light through the beautiful trees of Greystone, representing those who hoped for the chance to play golf but never realized the chance, but witnessed the fulfillment of a dream larger than any individual career I saw the logo of the PGA the other day and it read "The PGA making golf a better game". Truly the great and illustrious legacy of professional golf has been made even better by the contribution and class of these great men, which has gone far beyond the call of duty and far "Beyond the Passion'.

In becoming the first African American Artist to be officially commissioned and licensed to do artwork for the Bruno Event Team and the PGA, I salute those who paid the price as well as the ultimate price for me to be in the position I'm in today. Thank you and God bless you all.

- Steve R. Skipper