Linda Hartough, among the world’s best golf-landscape artists, has introduced her newest painting, “16th Hole, East Course, Merion Golf Club,” in commemoration of the 2013 U.S. Open. The tournament is set for June 13-16, and will return to historic Merion in Ardmore, Pa., for the first time since 1981.
This is the 24th painting in Hartough’s U.S. Open series, which is commissioned by the U.S. Golf Association. Offered in a limited edition of 850 prints and an additional 85 artist proofs, each is signed and numbered by the artist.
"The rest of the course looked wonderful in the spring air, and it was really hard to limit the choice to one hole," said Hartough of her decision to paint the 16th hole. "But the sight of the Quarry Hole ablaze with yellow-flowered scotch broom did it for me."
The Quarry Hole is one of the most demanding in golf at one of the most historic courses in America. Designed by Hugh Wilson, the East Course opened in 1912. It perhaps is best known as the place where Bobby Jones won the 1930 U.S. Amateur to complete his career Grand Slam.
In this rendering, Hartough captures Merion on a beautiful spring day. The panorama invites inspection of the dramatic undulations, stone ledges and elevations marking the difficult approach shot to the iconic two-tiered green.
"Linda has done a wonderful job capturing the drama of Merion's famous Quarry Hole -- the 16th," said Merion PGA Head Professional Scott Nye. "The vibrant yellow scotch broom in the quarry and the famous orange wickers provide eye-catching pop that brings out the scenic beauty of the hole.
"The long afternoon shadows across the fairway coupled with the clubhouse in the lower left remind golfers that they are truly fortunate to walk where the legends of the game have played over 100 years of championship golf at Merion," he added. "The pencil sketch depicts the original farmhouse and barn, reminding players that the land was a farm long before Hugh Wilson's gem was created."
Hartough painted the first of her U.S. Open series in 1990, when Hale Irwin won at Medinah Country Club. In 1984, Augusta National commissioned her to paint its famous 13th hole, an event that propelled her toward specialization as a golf-landscape painter. Since then, her work has achieved a distinguished status, displayed in the permanent collections of such legendary clubs as Augusta National, Laurel Valley, Pinehurst and Pine Valley, as well as in the personal collections of such golf notables as Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd. Her paintings also hang in the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Ga.
For more information, visit www.hartough.com.
