Commission: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hole 18 acrylic on wood and joint compound 24x40
Around October of last year I was commissioned by my cousin's husband Brian to make this painting as a gift for his brother Scott, who lives in DC. Harbour Town Golf Links is course in Hilton Head, South Carolina that Scott and his dad play from time to time. For the commission, Brian and I worked out which hole to focus on and then I was told to "go crazy" with it. So I did. It's really nice to be trusted in that way. I finally drove it up to DC last week to present to Scott, so now I can show it here.
This painting combines the basic structure of the hole with the pattern and texture of golf pants. I've never played this course, but I did some research. As it turns out, Hole 18 is the crown jewel of the course. Since it's right on the water, you are haunted its entire length by a wind-swept tidal flat that looms left like a big hairy monster waiting to gobble any misplaced shot. As you approach the green and somehow dodge a snaggletooth-shaped bunker, a glorious red-and-white lighthouse comes into view. It was important to include this iconic lighthouse, but I didn't want it to steal the focus of the painting. So I shrank it, multiplied it and "embroidered" its pattern on the upper right-hand side. Another little detail are the tee boxes - one for each member of the nuclear family.
I had a great time building and painting this hole (the biggest yet!) and am looking forward to the next round. Golf courses are such strange creations. They are as beautiful as they are absurd, and I enjoy making them. If you would like a commission in this vein (or anything else for that matter), please get in touch: joegolney@gmail.com