Chambers Bay

Chambers Bay was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.{{cite web |url=http://www.chambersbaygolf.com/layout10.asp?id=173&page=3357 |title=Ask the Architect, Robert Trent Jones II |access-date=April 20, 2008 |date=March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329033921/http://www.chambersbaygolf.com/layout10.asp?id=173&page=3357 |archive-date=March 29, 2008 |url-status=dead }} The {{convert|250|acre|adj=on}} course is the centerpiece of a {{convert|930|acre|adj=on}} 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.{{cite news |last=Sheinin |first=Dave |date=June 17, 2015 |title=In 10 years, Chambers Bay went from abandoned quarry to U.S. Open host |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/golf/in-10-years-chambers-bay-went-from-abandoned-quarry-to-us-open-host/2015/06/17/d9d16106-14f6-11e5-9518-f9e0a8959f32_story.html |work=The Washington Post |accessdate=June 4, 2024}}

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.{{cite news |last=Voepel |first=Dan |date=January 9, 2008 |title=Ladenburg's Folly? Not according to the golf world |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article25853716.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=June 4, 2024}} The proposal was controversial but was pushed through by Ladenburg, who also selected the design team and managers for the future course.{{cite web | url=https://golf.com/news/chambers-bay-and-john-ladenburg-he-built-it-theyre-coming/ | title=Chambers Bay and John Ladenburg: He Built It, They're Coming }}{{cite news | url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/may/29/ladenburg-realizes-dream-of-hosting-us-open-at/ | title=Ladenburg realizes dream of hosting U.S. Open at Chambers Bay | the Spokesman-Review }} 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;{{cite news |last=Ballengee |first=Ryan |date=June 15, 2015 |title=How Chambers Bay fulfilled its destiny and landed the U.S. Open |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-devil-ball-golf/how-chambers-bay-fulfilled-its-destiny-and-landed-the-u-s--open-213206073-golf.html |work=Yahoo! Sports |accessdate=June 4, 2024}} the course itself was British links-style due to the Pacific Northwest's similar climate.{{cite news |last=Goldman |first=Tom |date=June 20, 2015 |title=A Sea Change At Chambers Bay, Where U.S. Open Meets U.K. Aesthetics |url=https://www.npr.org/2015/06/20/416033803/a-sea-change-at-chambers-bay-where-u-s-open-meets-u-k-aesthetics |publisher=NPR |accessdate=June 4, 2024}} The course cost $20.7 million to build and was labeled "Ladenburg's Folly" by critics, but was well received by golfers.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Craig |date=February 9, 2008 |title=2015 U.S. Open: Chambers Bay strikes green |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/other-sports/2015-us-open-chambers-bay-strikes-green/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=June 4, 2024}}

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.{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/golf/2003662788_chambers12.html |newspaper=Seattle Times |last=Newnham |first=Blaine |title=Chambers Bay is a bit of Scotland near Tacoma |date=April 12, 2007 |accessdate=August 13, 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/golf/2023416175_chambers20xml.html |newspaper=Seattle Times |last=Hanson |first=Scott |title=How 3 visionaries brought the U.S. Open to Chambers Bay |date=April 19, 2014 |accessdate=August 13, 2014}} At the time, it was still permitted as a working mine, which meant fewer restrictions for the course architects.{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/stevekelley/2004186804_kelley170.html |newspaper=Seattle Times |last=Kelley |first=Steve |title=Bruce Charlton felt the sand and saw a U.S. Open |date=February 17, 2008 |accessdate=August 13, 2014}}

On February 8, 2008, USGA announced that Chambers Bay would host the 2015 U.S. Open. 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.{{cite news |last=Grimley |first=Brynn |date=January 7, 2016 |title=U.S. Open brought $134 million to region, report says |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article53169075.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=June 4, 2024}} 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.{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=November 24, 2014 |title=USGA working hard to ensure smooth transportation for U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in June |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/golf/usga-working-hard-to-ensure-smooth-transportation-for-us-open-at-chambers-bay-in-june/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=June 4, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Grimley |first=Brynn |date=November 18, 2014 |title=Sounder trains no longer an option for U.S. Open at Chambers Bay |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article25895395.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=June 4, 2024}}

Five sets of tees are available, ranging from {{convert|5250|to|7585|yd|round=5}}, 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.

{{Golf18|center=true|title=Chambers Bay}}

{{Tee18|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 |bcolor=navy|tcolor=white}}

{{Tee18|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 |bcolor=yellow|tcolor=black}}

{{White18|rssize=8pt |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}}

{{handicap18|name=Men's | 3 | 13 | 17 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 4 }}

{{Par18 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 37 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 72 }}

{{handicap18|name=Women's| 3 | 11 | 17 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 2 }}

{{blue18|71.5 / 128 | 436 | 301 | 111 | 347 | 323 | 283 | 415 | 441 | 132 | 2789 | 311 | 378 | 219 | 348 | 309 | 91 | 279 | 92 | 462 | 2489 | 5278 }}

{{end18}}

Championship TeesChambers Bay Yardage Guide with US Open Tees Sold at Club April 4, 2015

Navy Tees

Source:{{cite web |url=http://www.chambersbaygolf.com/chambersbay.asp?id=232&page=8187 |publisher=Chambers Bay |title=Course Routing |access-date=August 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610085313/http://www.chambersbaygolf.com/chambersbay.asp?id=232&page=8187 |archive-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.chambersbaygolf.com/chambersbay.asp?id=232&page=8187 |publisher=Chambers Bay |title=Scorecard |access-date=August 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610085313/http://www.chambersbaygolf.com/chambersbay.asp?id=232&page=8187 |archive-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

Chambers Bay has just one tree, a Douglas fir behind the 15th green.{{cite news |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/golf/chambers-bays-lone-fir-hacked/ |newspaper=Seattle Times |last=Booth |first=Tim |agency=Associated Press |title=Chambers Bay's "Lone Fir" hacked |date=May 1, 2008 |accessdate=June 16, 2015}}

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.

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.

In 2016, a resort was proposed by a private developer, including an 80-room hotel, event and meeting space, and a Tom Douglas restaurant.{{cite news |last=Eldridge |first=Keith |date=October 17, 2016 |title=Puyallup company chosen to build resort at Chambers Bay Golf Course |url=http://komonews.com/news/local/puyallup-company-chosen-to-build-resort-at-chambers-bay-golf-course |publisher=KOMO |accessdate=October 18, 2016}}

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.{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/golf/2004171956_webchambers08.html |newspaper=Seattle Times |title=Chambers Bay will host U.S. Open |date=February 8, 2008 |accessdate=August 13, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www2.cybergolf.com/kemper/images/173/USGA.pdf |title=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 |publisher=USGA |accessdate=April 20, 2008 |date=February 7, 2008}} Chambers Bay was set as a par-71 at {{convert|7742|yd}} for the U.S. Amateur in 2010,{{cite web |url=http://www.usga.org/ChampEventArticle.aspx?id=2147490106 |publisher=USGA |title=It's Uhlein's time |date=August 29, 2010 |accessdate=August 13, 2014}} the longest course in USGA history.{{cite journal |url=http://golfweek.com/news/2011/aug/21/erin-hills-chambers-bay-give-usga-advance-look/ |title=U.S. Am courses give USGA advance look |journal=Golfweek |date=August 22, 2011}} The record only lasted until the following year when Erin Hills surpassed it by 18 yards.

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.{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/golf/2024107196_regional19xml.html |newspaper=Seattle Times |title=USGA announces its Sunday round at 2015 U.S. Open is all sold out |date=July 18, 2014 |accessdate=August 13, 2014}} The tournament was eventually won by Jordan Spieth.{{cite web |last=Auclair |first=T.J. |title=Spieth wins 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay |url=http://www.pga.com/news/golf-buzz/jordan-spieth-wins-2015-us-open-chambers-bay |publisher=PGA of America |date=June 20, 2015 |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=June 21, 2015}} 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.{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Gregg |date=May 22, 2021 |title=Low scores, beloved Chambers Bay greens as 10-under sets early pace at U.S. Amateur 4-Ball |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article251612203.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=June 4, 2024}}

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.{{cite web |title=17-year-old wins U.S. Women's Amateur with wild 11&9 beatdown at Chambers Bay |url=https://golf.com/news/chambers-bay-womens-am-saki-baba/ |website=Golf.com |access-date=March 7, 2023}} In March 2023, the USGA selected Chambers Bay to host the 2027 U.S. Junior Amateur and 2033 U.S. Amateur.{{cite press release |last=Pine |first=Julia |date=March 6, 2023 |title=Two Future USGA Amateur Events Headed to Chambers Bay |url=https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2023/03/two-future-usga-amateur-events-headed-to-chambers-bay.html |publisher=USGA |accessdate=June 4, 2024}}

During the 2015 U.S. Open, Chambers Bay was subject to criticism for its bumpy greens, unfair course design, and poor accessibility for spectators.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2015/06/20/sergio-garcia-henrik-stenson-rory-mcilroy/29047521/|title=Players: U.S. Open deserves better than setup at Chambers Bay|publisher=USA Today |first=Steve |last=DiMeglio |date=June 20, 2015}} 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."{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/22/chambers-bay-golf-course-us-open|title=Was the 'unplayable' Chambers Bay golf course fit to host the US Open?|work=The Guardian |first=Paul |last=Campbell |date=June 22, 2015}}

In 2017, the fine fescue greens were allowed to transition to poa annua, the dominant species.{{cite news |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/chambers-bay-to-change-greens-from-fine-fescue-to-poa-annua |magazine=Golf World |last=Herrington |first=Ryan |title=Chambers Bay to change greens from fine fescue to Poa annua |date=July 9, 2017 |accessdate=January 2, 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chambersbaygolf.com/welcomestatus-report/ |work=Chambers Bay |title=Welcome/Status report |agency=(blog)|date=August 25, 2017 |accessdate=January 2, 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/golf/chambers-bay-greens-get-a-facelift-after-issues-in-2015-us-open/ |work=Seattle Times |agency=Associated Press |title=Chambers Bay greens get a facelift |date=July 9, 2017 |page=C8}}{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2017/07/08/chambers-bay-greens-get-facelift-in-hopes-of-us-open-return/103520420/ |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |title=Chambers Bay greens get facelift in hopes of wooing US Open |date=July 8, 2017|accessdate=January 2, 2018}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-central-blog/chambers-bay-overhauls-greens-eyes-us-open-return |work=Golf Channel |last=Gray |first=Will |title=Chambers Bay overhauls greens, eyes Open return |date=July 9, 2017 |accessdate=January 2, 2018}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.chambersbaygolf.com}}
• [https://www.flickr.com/groups/496227@N25 Chambers Bay photos]

{{U.S. Open golf venues}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2007 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:Buildings and structures in Pierce County, Washington

Category:Golf clubs and courses in Washington (state)

Category:Sports in the Seattle metropolitan area

Category:Sports venues completed in 2007

Category:Tourist attractions in Pierce County, Washington