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Chambers Bay

Coordinates: 47°12′N 122°34′W / 47.20°N 122.57°W / 47.20; -122.57
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For the Australian geographical feature, see Chambers Bay, Northern Territory.

Chambers Bay
Chambers Bay Golf Course
Club information
Chambers Bay is located in the United States
Chambers Bay
Chambers Bay is located in Washington (state)
Chambers Bay
Coordinates47°12′N 122°34′W / 47.20°N 122.57°W / 47.20; -122.57
LocationUniversity Place, Washington, U.S.
EstablishedJune 23, 2007
17 years ago
TypePublic
Owned byPierce County
Operated byKemperSports
Total holes18
Events hostedU.S. Amateur (2010),
U.S. Open (2015),
U.S. Amateur Four-Ball (2021),
U.S. Women's Amateur (2022)
GreensPoa annua
(full green replacement 2017-2019),
formerly fine fescue[1]
Websitechambersbaygolf.com
Designed byRobert Trent Jones Jr.
Par72
Length7,585 yards (6,936 m)
Course rating78.1[2] (Teal)
Slope rating146[2] (Teal)

Chambers Bay is a public golf course on Puget Sound southwest of Tacoma, Washington, United States, in the city of University Place. The British links-style course is owned by Pierce County and opened for play on June 23, 2007.[3] It hosted the U.S. Amateur in 2010 and the U.S. Open in 2015.[1][4]

Design

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Chambers Bay was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.[3][5] The 250-acre (100 ha) course is the centerpiece of a 930-acre (380 ha) county park that also includes walking trails and other spaces. Pierce County bought the land, a former sand-and-gravel quarry, for $33 million in 1992; the property was popular with off-road four-wheelers and dirt-bikers for years while the park was under development.[3][6]

Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, himself a golfer, proposed the conversion of the quarry into a golf course with the intention of hosting the United States Open and other major golf championships.[7] The proposal was controversial but was pushed through by Ladenburg, who also selected the design team and managers for the future course.[8][9] The course's location was intended to resemble the Oregon Dunes and its design as a prominent public course was inspired by Torrey Pines Golf Course near San Diego;[10] the course itself was British links-style due to the Pacific Northwest's similar climate.[11] The course cost $20.7 million to build and was labeled "Ladenburg's Folly" by critics, but was well received by golfers.[7][12]

Construction

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During construction, 1.4 million cubic yards (1.1 million m³) of dirt and sand (over 100,000 truckloads) were removed, cleaned off site, and returned to sculpt the course.[13][14] At the time, it was still permitted as a working mine, which meant fewer restrictions for the course architects.[3][15]

On February 8, 2008, USGA announced that Chambers Bay would host the 2015 U.S. Open.[12] According to a USGA-commissioned financial analysis, the U.S. Open generated $134 million in economy development regionally, including $16.8 million in tax revenue. The event had approximately 110,000 unique visitors, of which one-third were from outside Washington state.[16] To transport visitors for the tournament from Seattle, a Sounder commuter train platform was planned to be constructed at Chambers Bay. USGA and Sound Transit later cancelled plans for the train service, citing logistical and financial challenges.[17][18]

Layout

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Five sets of tees are available, ranging from 5,250 to 7,585 yards (4,800 to 6,935 m), and as a municipal course, Pierce County residents receive discounted rates. The course is for walkers only, caddies are available but are optional. Motorized carts are permitted only for those with medical conditions or disabilities, and a caddie must be hired as the driver.

The greens do not have fringes - it is a transparent transition from fairway to green.

Card of the course

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Chambers Bay
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Navy 75.6 / 139 559 395 167 530 465 418 482 557 227 3800 398 457 281 485 496 139 396 172 541 3365 7165
Sand 72.4 / 135 501 365 145 480 441 369 449 523 202 3475 360 425 262 453 407 116 359 142 514 3038 6513
White M:70.2/127 L:76.2/137 465 337 130 424 423 315 435 488 168 3185 330 402 246 437 383 103 323 119 487 2830 6015
SI Men's 3 13 17 5 9 11 7 1 15 10 8 14 2 6 18 12 16 4
Par 5 4 3 5 4 4 4 5 3 37 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 3 5 35 72
SI Women's 3 11 17 7 9 13 5 1 15 8 4 14 6 10 16 12 18 2
Blue 71.5 / 128 436 301 111 347 323 283 415 441 132 2789 311 378 219 348 309 91 279 92 462 2489 5278

Championship Tees[19]

Hole Name Yards Par Hole Name Yards Par
1 Puget Sound 598/496 5/4 10 High Dunes 436 4
2 Foxy 399 4 11 Shadows 537 4
3 Blown Out 198 3 12 The Narrows 311 4
4 Hazard's Ascent 495 4 13 Eagle Eye 534 4
5 Free Fall 488 4 14 Cape Fear 546 4
6 Deception Point 495 4 15 Lone Fir 246/167 3
7 Humpback 508 4 16 Beached 423 4
8 High Road Low Road 614 5 17 Derailed 218 3
9 Olympus 224/217 3 18 Tahoma 604/525 5/4
Out 4,019/3,910 36/35 In 3,855/3,697 35/34
 Championship tees: Rating=78.1,  Slope=146 Total 7,874/7,607 70

Navy Tees

Hole Name Yards Par Hole Name Yards Par
1 Puget Sound 559 5 10 High Dunes 398 4
2 Foxy 395 4 11 Shadows 457 4
3 Blown Out 167 3 12 The Narrows 281 4
4 Hazard's Ascent 530 5 13 Eagle Eye 485 4
5 Free Fall 465 4 14 Cape Fear 496 4
6 Deception Point 418 4 15 Lone Fir 139 3
7 Humpback 482 4 16 Beached 396 4
8 High Road Low Road 557 5 17 Derailed 172 3
9 Olympus 227 3 18 Tahoma 541 5
Out 3,800 37 In 3,365 35
 Navy tees: Rating=75.6,  Slope=139[2] Total 7,165 72

Source:[20][21]

Chambers Bay has just one tree, a Douglas fir behind the 15th green.[22]

Operation

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The course is operated by Kemper Sports Management, which also operates the near by Lake Spanaway Golf Course in Spanaway. As well as Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast.[3]

The course is part of the Chambers Creek Properties which includes numerous non-golf recreational opportunities including a three-mile loop (5 km) walking trail, part of which travels through the west side of the golf course.[3]

In 2016, a resort was proposed by a private developer, including an 80-room hotel, event and meeting space, and a Tom Douglas restaurant.[23]

Events

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Chambers Bay was the site of the U.S. Amateur in 2010 and hosted the U.S. Open in 2015; these events were awarded by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in early 2008.[4][24] Chambers Bay was set as a par-71 at 7,742 yards (7,079 m) for the U.S. Amateur in 2010,[25] the longest course in USGA history.[26] The record only lasted until the following year when Erin Hills surpassed it by 18 yards.[26]

Eleven months prior to the event, the USGA announced in July 2014 that all final round tickets and weekly ticket passes for the 2015 U.S. Open were sold out.[27] The tournament was eventually won by Jordan Spieth.[28] Chambers Bay Golf Course hosted the 2021 edition of the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, which replaced the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in 2015.[29]

In May 2021, the USGA selected Chambers Bay to host the 2022 U.S. Women's Amateur, scheduled for August 8–14, 2022. The tournament was won by Saki Baba.[30] In March 2023, the USGA selected Chambers Bay to host the 2027 U.S. Junior Amateur and 2033 U.S. Amateur.[31]

Criticism

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During the 2015 U.S. Open, Chambers Bay was subject to criticism for its bumpy greens, unfair course design, and poor accessibility for spectators.[32] Nine-time major champion Gary Player called it "the worst golf course I might've ever seen in the 63 years as a professional golfer," and Henrik Stenson said that the greens were like "putting on broccoli."[33]

In 2017, the fine fescue greens were allowed to transition to poa annua, the dominant species.[34][35][36][37] In the weeks leading up to the 2015 U.S. Open, warm and dry weather forced extra watering of the greens, which allowed the invasive poa to thrive.[1][37][38]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Booth, Tim (June 5, 2019). "New greens in place, Chambers Bay ponders majors future". Golfweek. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Course rating and slope database, Chambers Bay". USGA. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Smith, Craig (June 23, 2007). "Chambers Bay golf course opens today". Seattle Times. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Chambers Bay will host U.S. Open". Seattle Times. February 8, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  5. ^ "Ask the Architect, Robert Trent Jones II". March 2008. Archived from the original on March 29, 2008. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
  6. ^ Sheinin, Dave (June 17, 2015). "In 10 years, Chambers Bay went from abandoned quarry to U.S. Open host". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Voepel, Dan (January 9, 2008). "Ladenburg's Folly? Not according to the golf world". The News Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "Chambers Bay and John Ladenburg: He Built It, They're Coming".
  9. ^ "Ladenburg realizes dream of hosting U.S. Open at Chambers Bay | the Spokesman-Review".
  10. ^ Ballengee, Ryan (June 15, 2015). "How Chambers Bay fulfilled its destiny and landed the U.S. Open". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Goldman, Tom (June 20, 2015). "A Sea Change At Chambers Bay, Where U.S. Open Meets U.K. Aesthetics". NPR. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Smith, Craig (February 9, 2008). "2015 U.S. Open: Chambers Bay strikes green". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  13. ^ Newnham, Blaine (April 12, 2007). "Chambers Bay is a bit of Scotland near Tacoma". Seattle Times. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  14. ^ Hanson, Scott (April 19, 2014). "How 3 visionaries brought the U.S. Open to Chambers Bay". Seattle Times. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  15. ^ Kelley, Steve (February 17, 2008). "Bruce Charlton felt the sand and saw a U.S. Open". Seattle Times. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  16. ^ Grimley, Brynn (January 7, 2016). "U.S. Open brought $134 million to region, report says". The News Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  17. ^ Baker, Geoff (November 24, 2014). "USGA working hard to ensure smooth transportation for U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in June". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  18. ^ Grimley, Brynn (November 18, 2014). "Sounder trains no longer an option for U.S. Open at Chambers Bay". The News Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  19. ^ Chambers Bay Yardage Guide with US Open Tees Sold at Club April 4, 2015
  20. ^ "Course Routing". Chambers Bay. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  21. ^ "Scorecard". Chambers Bay. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  22. ^ Booth, Tim (May 1, 2008). "Chambers Bay's "Lone Fir" hacked". Seattle Times. Associated Press. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  23. ^ Eldridge, Keith (October 17, 2016). "Puyallup company chosen to build resort at Chambers Bay Golf Course". KOMO. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  24. ^ "USGA Awards 2015 U.S. Open, 2010 U.S. Amateur to Chambers Bay in Washington State and 2011 U.S. Amateur to Erin Hills Golf Club in Wisconsin" (PDF). USGA. February 7, 2008. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
  25. ^ "It's Uhlein's time". USGA. August 29, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  26. ^ a b "U.S. Am courses give USGA advance look". Golfweek. August 22, 2011.
  27. ^ "USGA announces its Sunday round at 2015 U.S. Open is all sold out". Seattle Times. July 18, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  28. ^ Auclair, T.J. (June 20, 2015). "Spieth wins 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay". PGA of America. Associated Press. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  29. ^ Bell, Gregg (May 22, 2021). "Low scores, beloved Chambers Bay greens as 10-under sets early pace at U.S. Amateur 4-Ball". The News Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  30. ^ "17-year-old wins U.S. Women's Amateur with wild 11&9 beatdown at Chambers Bay". Golf.com. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  31. ^ Pine, Julia (March 6, 2023). "Two Future USGA Amateur Events Headed to Chambers Bay" (Press release). USGA. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  32. ^ DiMeglio, Steve (June 20, 2015). "Players: U.S. Open deserves better than setup at Chambers Bay". USA Today.
  33. ^ Campbell, Paul (June 22, 2015). "Was the 'unplayable' Chambers Bay golf course fit to host the US Open?". The Guardian.
  34. ^ Herrington, Ryan (July 9, 2017). "Chambers Bay to change greens from fine fescue to Poa annua". Golf World. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  35. ^ "Welcome/Status report". Chambers Bay. (blog). August 25, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  36. ^ "Chambers Bay greens get a facelift". Seattle Times. Associated Press. July 9, 2017. p. C8.
  37. ^ a b "Chambers Bay greens get facelift in hopes of wooing US Open". USA Today. Associated Press. July 8, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  38. ^ Gray, Will (July 9, 2017). "Chambers Bay overhauls greens, eyes Open return". Golf Channel. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
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