US Open will go back to Chambers Bay

[mrt99]

[quote name='Golf Monkey' timestamp='1435426986' post='11845160']
I hope so...the first interesting US Open in living memory.
[/quote]

I've said it before, but I'll say it again...I'm amazed at the number of folks who post here who appear to actually hate the game of golf....

[Bonhomme Richard]

Why are they forcing the issue with this shithole? Give it up already, there are literally hundreds of golf courses in every corner of the country that could and would host a better Open.

[ayotte2]

I find it hilarious that the majority of the complainers of Chambers Bay are from the east coast. Get over yourselves! There is a whole lot more to the U.S. than your little slice of paradise. Lol. I've never been to the New England area so I have nothing to go on there.

I've been to NYC and Jersey and all the way down the coast. You can have it but I certainly won't call it childish names. It would surely be easy to but I'll pass.

[Pondy]

[quote name='ayotte2' timestamp='1435541737' post='11852398']
I find it hilarious that the majority of the complainers of Chambers Bay are from the east coast. Get over yourselves! There is a whole lot more to the U.S. than your little slice of paradise. Lol. I've never been to the New England area so I have nothing to go on there.

I've been to NYC and Jersey and all the way down the coast. You can have it but I certainly won't call it childish names. It would surely be easy to but I'll pass.
[/quote]

It's not an East vs. West thing, from my perspective (from NJ). I know there are great NW courses. CB was not a great venue.

[IM_ALL_IN]

[quote name='ayotte2' timestamp='1435541737' post='11852398']
I find it hilarious that the majority of the complainers of Chambers Bay are from the east coast. Get over yourselves! There is a whole lot more to the U.S. than your little slice of paradise. Lol. I've never been to the New England area so I have nothing to go on there.

I've been to NYC and Jersey and all the way down the coast. You can have it but I certainly won't call it childish names. It would surely be easy to but I'll pass.
[/quote]

LOL, when was the last time you saw s*** greens like CB on the east coast for a big tourney? Actually, any coast, any continent for that matter. CB was the worst of the worst which is why people were complaining.

You shouldn't take it personally b/c you're from WA. There's other nice courses in your area, unfortunately CB is not up to par for major tournaments.

[Pondy]

End of discussion --> [color=#282828]CB is not up to par for major tournaments.[/color]

[PGArox]

[quote name='Bonhomme Richard' timestamp='1435428940' post='11845264']
Why are they forcing the issue with this shithole? Give it up already, there are literally hundreds of golf courses in every corner of the country that could and would host a better Open.
[/quote]

To a certain extent, I think there is a little "damage control" in the USGA or anyone else saying that, apart from the greens, this U.S. Open was a great success, or that Chambers Bay is likely to get another shot in the future.

I think some major changes will have to be made at Chambers Bay before it hosts another U.S. Open, but I believe all parties involved are willing to at least consider those major changes.

Obviously, the greens will get a lot of attention, but several other weaknesses will have to be addressed. The fans in attendance need much better viewing access, as well as the ability to walk the property with greater ease. More amenities will likely be considered.

As for the architecture of the course itself, those "sideboards" and "backboards" proved to be a little too silly, introducing too much luck or fortune into the procedings. They certainly should be muted, or eliminated altogether.

Furthermore, having large bushes of tall grass right in the middle of bunkers, or bushy grasses overhanging the lips of greenside bunkers may be an "exciting" or dramatic look, but they impact play to a great extent and once again bring happenstance too greatly to the mix.

I think if these areas of concern are addressed, perhaps Chambers Bay does have a chance of hosting another U.S. Open. I'm sure the networks and the USGA love the idea of prime-time (east coast) major championship golf.

[Rhythm&TempoRenzo]

I hope not. The U.S. Open should not be played on anything close to a Links styled course, that style of play belongs to the British Open or Open Championship whichever you want to call it. We only need one links style major championship. Just my two cents...

[mallrat]

[quote name='Pondy' timestamp='1435546530' post='11852920']
End of discussion --> [color=#282828]CB is not up to par for major tournaments.[/color]
[/quote]

Why do you say this?

Because the second best player in the world one? Because most of the worlds Top 30 were in contention? Because we saw a couple amazing rounds played?

Sure they need to fix some things, flatten some areas for spectators, new greens and update the clubhouse, but it provided one of the more memorable opens in recent years. If the greens were in better condition what would people have thought? So Martin Kaymer runs away with on an East Coast course that was as browned out as CB but you guys weren't throwing a stink about that.

Also people need to realize that this is an absolute freak year for the PNW that led to a perfect storm for those conditions. We have been sunny and 60's since February, normally that doesn't happen until April. It has been on average 10+ degrees warmer here which led to the course browning early. Nothing the USGA could do about that.

[mallrat]

One more thing, for those complaining did you actually see the adjusted TV ratings? They were absolutely threw the roof, 11 million viewers for the 7-8 pm time slot on the East Coast, that blows away everything since Tiger at Pebble.

[twixster888]

[quote name='Rangeballz' timestamp='1435407261' post='11843816']
Who is going to pay for all this rework? The taxpayers or the USGA?
[/quote]

Thats what i would like to know. They spent, i think, $21 million for this course. They are charging county residents roughly 1/3 off retail of $299 for prime time summer. $209 + tax for residents is absurd! You don't see other muni's around the country charging residents that much to play. Bethpage black is priced at $150-170 while residents are $65-$75. Harding park is $160-170 while the residents are $53-63. Torrey Pines is $183 non and $63 for residents. Where is the muni part in Chambers Bay?

[kenwiggins11]

Living in PNW and have played Chambers Bay multiple times regardless what people say it is a fun track. I have played Pebble, Spyglass, Torrey Pines, and the Bandon courses on a regular basis. Not saying it is better than those courses but far from a piece of junk goat track. With that said I agree the course needs to be more spectator friendly, kids, elderly, and many others struggled
to get around the course. One thing that did make people upset was you could only buy one adult beverage unless you had two Id's etc. Which required you to wait in line and then wait in line to get back in grandstands. I not saying they should over serve or serve to minors but figure out a better system. They also ran out of food and condiments in the high traffic areas which needs to be addressed. Many of the greens were poor because of dry conditions, POA and need major improvent. As far as economic impact I do not think University Place Businesses profited as much as one would think. Residents who weren't golf fans avoided the area. University Place in itself has little to no lodging so most people stayed in the surrounding areas Seattle, Tacoma, And Olympia. I was at Open for the week and on 18 for the exciting finish and for selfish reasons hope it returns. University Place residents are a proud group, great hosts, and a classey. If they want the Open back I hope it comes back with a better viewing plan for the spectators and major improvement in greens.

[buckeyefl]

[quote name='golfcarte' timestamp='1435418695' post='11844626']
[quote name='bruinsPATSirish' timestamp='1435407118' post='11843808']
From what I have heard from a friend in the USGA, Chambers Bay will be replacing their greens and restructuring areas of the course in the next few years shooting for 2018-2020.

The USGA will also eventually be announcing Chambers Bay as the host of the 2025, 2026, or 2027 US Open Championship.

All of the grumblings about the greens aside this years US Open was pretty awesome. Turned out to be a fantastic finish and fun to watch. If they change out the greens and fix the issues with some of the collection areas, etc I think the next US Open @ Chambers will be awesome.

Any thoughts?
[/quote]

i went back and read some old articles from about the time chambers bay was announced as a us open venue, it was chosen as one of the best new courses, and they had an amateur event there, i'm sure the usga wanted to captalize on that, but the fact that there was such a time gap, i think really hurt. its not like the masters and augusta, or jack nicklaus at muirfield village, where they can spend all year every year monitoring course conditions, ultimately for u.s. open venues it has to be up to the on-course staff. they need to take the blame here.
[/quote]

It was 8 months old when it was chosen which means it was chosen based on something outside of the normal criteria and best new course has a lot to do with simply being new. Even awarding them an amateur so soon is questionable. Someone had an agenda or was paid and either scenario is filled with pitfalls.

[HoffTTM]

[quote name='twixster888' timestamp='1435554690' post='11853414']
[quote name='Rangeballz' timestamp='1435407261' post='11843816']
Who is going to pay for all this rework? The taxpayers or the USGA?
[/quote]

Thats what i would like to know. They spent, i think, $21 million for this course. They are charging county residents roughly 1/3 off retail of $299 for prime time summer. $209 + tax for residents is absurd! You don't see other muni's around the country charging residents that much to play. Bethpage black is priced at $150-170 while residents are $65-$75. Harding park is $160-170 while the residents are $53-63. Torrey Pines is $183 non and $63 for residents. Where is the muni part in Chambers Bay?
[/quote]

This is my main gripe with it as well, still seem to be generating 35k rounds a year plus

[starsail85]

They should re do the greens with fescue and employ people who understand how to keep poa out

Modern green keeping isn't the answer

[bruinsPATSirish]

[quote name='PGArox' timestamp='1435546708' post='11852938']
[quote name='Bonhomme Richard' timestamp='1435428940' post='11845264']
Why are they forcing the issue with this shithole? Give it up already, there are literally hundreds of golf courses in every corner of the country that could and would host a better Open.
[/quote]

To a certain extent, I think there is a little "damage control" in the USGA or anyone else saying that, apart from the greens, this U.S. Open was a great success, or that Chambers Bay is likely to get another shot in the future.

I think some major changes will have to be made at Chambers Bay before it hosts another U.S. Open, but I believe all parties involved are willing to at least consider those major changes.

Obviously, the greens will get a lot of attention, but several other weaknesses will have to be addressed. The fans in attendance need much better viewing access, as well as the ability to walk the property with greater ease. More amenities will likely be considered.

As for the architecture of the course itself, those "sideboards" and "backboards" proved to be a little too silly, introducing too much luck or fortune into the procedings. They certainly should be muted, or eliminated altogether.

Furthermore, having large bushes of tall grass right in the middle of bunkers, or bushy grasses overhanging the lips of greenside bunkers may be an "exciting" or dramatic look, but they impact play to a great extent and once again bring happenstance too greatly to the mix.

I think if these areas of concern are addressed, perhaps Chambers Bay does have a chance of hosting another U.S. Open. I'm sure the networks and the USGA love the idea of prime-time (east coast) major championship golf.
[/quote]

Completely agree wth all of your critiques.

The US Open WILL be back to Chambers in 10 years I promise

[bullie76]

If they do a total re-do of the greens, put someone other than RTJ in charge.

[King_Slender]

[quote name='Golf Monkey' timestamp='1435426986' post='11845160']
I hope so...the first interesting US Open in living memory.
[/quote]

Amen - I don't get the hate for the course, outside the greens not being ideal. I think it could be greened up a bit, but how can you complain about having 4 of the Top 8 players in the world with a chance to win it on Sunday?

[Fairways_and_Greens]

[quote name='Pondy' timestamp='1435546530' post='11852920']
End of discussion --> [color=#282828]CB is not up to par for major tournaments.[/color]
[/quote]

Ouch. Even people from the armpit dumpster fire of a state are calling Chambers Bay out.

[TMBob]

[quote name='Playaway' timestamp='1435418011' post='11844566']
[quote name='denvergolf' timestamp='1435412112' post='11844120']
[quote name='bruinsPATSirish' timestamp='1435410838' post='11844040'][quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1435410592' post='11844014']
A course with backstops and funnels everywhere that reward poor shots. One with very poor spectator areas. Not to mention the awful greens, even if they replace them in 2018 by 2025 the poanna will be back.

Go somewhere else.

Not a $300+ Goat Track

But hey, pay off the USGA and your local muni dump can host a US Open
[/quote]

I have to imagine they will go full Poa for the greens, if not then like you said they will have a possible repeat of 2015 greens[/quote]not possibly, most likely. I play at a course fighting Poa and it's futile. Just make them Poa, roll them, cut them, voila.
[/quote]

Poa gets a bad rap. Fastest greens I ever putted, Spyglass Hill in May, are poa. If it's all poa, it all grows similar so they mostly just slow up in the afternoon.

The Pebble Beach (Tiger b*tch fest) were on poa greens that were much better than the ones at Toilet Bowl Bay. And a lot of the problem at Pebble were spike marks.
[/quote]

Must be a Bay Area guy

[rlconklin]

[quote name='mallrat' timestamp='1435548843' post='11853138']
[quote name='Pondy' timestamp='1435546530' post='11852920']
End of discussion --> [color=#282828]CB is not up to par for major tournaments.[/color]
[/quote]

Why do you say this?

Because the second best player in the world one? Because most of the worlds Top 30 were in contention? Because we saw a couple amazing rounds played?

Sure they need to fix some things, flatten some areas for spectators, new greens and update the clubhouse, but it provided one of the more memorable opens in recent years. If the greens were in better condition what would people have thought? So Martin Kaymer runs away with on an East Coast course that was as browned out as CB but you guys weren't throwing a stink about that.

Also people need to realize that this is an absolute freak year for the PNW that led to a perfect storm for those conditions. We have been sunny and 60's since February, normally that doesn't happen until April. It has been on average 10+ degrees warmer here which led to the course browning early. Nothing the USGA could do about that.
[/quote]

I think the reason people didn't like the course is that, in golf, you should reward good shots and penilize bad shots, that's the only fair way to set up a course. Way too many times, you saw a great shot be penilized by rolling 80 years across a fairway into a sand trap, or two nearly identical shots to the green have two totally different outcomes (i.e. shots land with in a foot or two of each other and one rolls 150 feet down a hill and the other sticks near the pin). Also from a spectator perspective, the viewing was terrible at the course. Nobody could get close to the action and it was nearly impossible to get to some locations on the course. If I'm going to pay good money to go to a golf tournament, I don't want to be forced to sit 100 yards away from the greens (if you're lucky). Viewing on television was also equally bad (maybe it was Fox's problem) but with the brown, tan, and yellow spotted greens (the greens were just about every color but green), it was almost impossible to pick up the ball when it was rolling.

To sum this years US Open up, it was played on a course that wasn't fair to the players, the spectators who attended couldn't manuver the course and see or get close to the action , and it was hard to watch on TV too. So basically from a player, spectator, and television viewer experience, it was probably the worst US Open in history.

[hayzooos]

[quote name='Golf Monkey' timestamp='1435426986' post='11845160']
I hope so...the first interesting US Open in living memory.
[/quote]

You didn't think the '13 US Open was interesting, at Merion? Phil the favorite losing out to Rose, Stricker cold shanking a shot from the middle of the fairway? I thought that was a pretty good US Open. Kaymer walking away last year at #2 wasn't exactly great drama, but '13 was a pretty good one.

[NevinW]

They will make a number of adjustments including changing the grass on the greens, softening the slopes around the greens and reshaping the hills to accomodate spectators. Lots of golf courses get modifed after they host a major or PGA tournament. Hazeltine was excoriated during their first US Open (all it lacks is cows and a plow). Eventually, further tournaments were played there without a wimper or complaint. TPC Sawgrass was wildly more extreme when it opened than it is now. You should have heard the howls at the time. I know this is WRX where hyperbole rules, but they will fix the problems.

[mudballz]

They sure have alot of work to do to appease the players.

[ayotte2]

One thing that is for sure is that the fescue greens will not change.
Other adjustments will be made but not the type of grass on the greens or fairways.
The changes that will be made are in the spectator dept. They know who pays the freight. The fans.
Record merchandise revenue and TV ratings speak loudly for bringing it back as soon as possible.
Deal with it!� The course is incredible and the USGA knows it. Maybe it didn't come off as incredible on TV to some people. If that's what you're basing you opinion and hate on, then there's little hope to argue otherwise.

[TMBob]

I always love the comment about CB, did not reward great shots!

Like all the past US Opens always rewarded great shots. How soon they forget about those great shots that ended up less than 8ft from the flag only to be in deep US Open green side rough after it rolled across those firm US Open greens only to make bogey.

I did see a few great shots that just ran by the hole at CB that did not fair too well, but like Tom Watson's shot in 18 at The Open Championship. I guess if they were such great shots they would have landed 2 feet shorter to not have the ball run off. Or like Greg Normans shot on the 9th at Augusta to be within a few feet from the hole only to see it roll 50 or more yards away and possible cost him the Masters.

Players have hit great shots for ever without being rewarded all over the world at all levels of golf......it is a game of inches is it not? Oh, and of course they forgot about some great shots on the 72nd hole being rewarded....that's no fun, it's the Friggin US Open!

[mallrat]

So Spieth and DJ's second shots on 18 weren't rewarded? I must have watched something different.

Or how about Louis Oosthuizen on Friday shooting a 66 including missing 6 birdie putts inside 8 feet. Nope the course didn't reward good shots at all

[buckeyefl]

[quote name='NevinW' timestamp='1435590015' post='11854808']
They will make a number of adjustments including changing the grass on the greens, softening the slopes around the greens and reshaping the hills to accomodate spectators. Lots of golf courses get modifed after they host a major or PGA tournament. Hazeltine was excoriated during their first US Open (all it lacks is cows and a plow). Eventually, further tournaments were played there without a wimper or complaint. TPC Sawgrass was wildly more extreme when it opened than it is now. You should have heard the howls at the time. I know this is WRX where hyperbole rules, but they will fix the problems.
[/quote]

Those problems should have been addressed before awarding them the event. Hell you give to perfect historic examples of what happens when you don't but apparently in their arrogance or ignorance the USA forgot.

[buckeyefl]

[quote name='mallrat' timestamp='1435599148' post='11855834']
So Spieth and DJ's second shots on 18 weren't rewarded? I must have watched something different.

Or how about Louis Oosthuizen on Friday shooting a 66 including missing 6 birdie putts inside 8 feet. Nope the course didn't reward good shots at all
[/quote]

Cool, three shots. Thats how people around get inflated egos when it comes to their ability. Selective amnesia and thinking the once every twenty attempts shot is the norm.

You are defending the indefensible.

[buckeyefl]

[quote name='ayotte2' timestamp='1435592510' post='11855138']
One thing that is for sure is that the fescue greens will not change.
Other adjustments will be made but not the type of grass on the greens or fairways.
The changes that will be made are in the spectator dept. They know who pays the freight. The fans.
Record merchandise revenue and TV ratings speak loudly for bringing it back as soon as possible.
Deal with it!� The course is incredible and the USGA knows it. Maybe it didn't come off as incredible on TV to some people. If that's what you're basing you opinion and hate on, then there's little hope to argue otherwise.
[/quote]

Lol list the last time the men's US Open didn't bring in the cash of have people watching. If anything people turned in for the same reason they can't look away from a car accident. The word spears quickly about how subpar the course was so they tuned in to see if it was true.

Incredible? Put down the pipe.