This is a framed gouache painting commemorating the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham, Michigan, held from June 13–16, 1996. The artwork, created by my late father Kenneth Reed, captures a scenic view of the famous Oakland Hills golf course, showing lush fairways, a large white clubhouse in the background, spectators along the green, and golfers playing near deep sand bunkers. The bold, flat-color style of the gouache medium emphasizes strong contrasts between the bright greens of the fairway, the blue sky, and the sandy bunkers. At the bottom center, large white hand painted lettering reads: 1996 U.S. OPEN OAKLAND HILLS COUNTRY CLUB BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 13–16 JUNE 1996 Two official seals flank the text, again painted meticulously by hand: one is the USGA emblem, and the other is the Oakland Hills U.S. Open crest. Ken Reed also painted for other tournaments including the 1995 US Open. The piece is signed on the mount two places: Kenneth Reed, the artist, on the lower right. Steve Jones, the champion of the 1996 U.S. Open, on the lower left with the date “18 July 96.” Steve Jones’ victory in 1996 was particularly memorable because he came back from a long injury layoff to win his first and only major championship, defeating Tom Lehman and Davis Love III by a single stroke. This painting is not only a piece of golf art but also a collectible memento of a historic U.S. Open. The original has been photographed through glass. Therefore it has picked up some reflections. The size of 92 x 70 cm includes the outside edge of the mount.
