Chambers Bay was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course is the centerpiece of a county park. Pierce County bought the land for $33 million in 1992; the property was formerly a sand-and-gravel quarry, popular with off-road four-wheelers and
Construction
During construction, 1.4 million cubic yards of dirt and sand were removed, cleaned off site, and returned to sculpt the course. At the time, it was still permitted as a working mine, which meant fewer restrictions for the course
Layout
Five sets of tees are available, ranging from, 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
Championship Tees Navy Tees Source: Chambers Bay has just one tree, a Douglas fir behind the 15th green.
Operation
The course is operated by Kemper Sports Management of Northbrook, Illinois, which also operates Bandon Dunes on the southern Oregon coast. The course is part of the Chambers Creek Properties which includes numerous non-golf recreational opportunities including a three-mile loop 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. After the 2015 U.S Open was played at Chambers Bay, the local economy realized an estimated revenue increase of approximately $150 million, primarily sourced from gains within the tourist and service industries. Although Pierce County taxpayers were solely responsible for security costs and course preparation for the US Open, other adjoining counties also benefitted economically.
Events
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 in early 2008. Chambers Bay was set as a par-71 at for the U.S. Amateur in 2010, the longest course in USGA history. 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. The tournament was eventually won by Jordan Spieth. Chambers Bay Golf Course will host the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship in 2021. Established in 2015, the "Four-Ball" as it is known, is the newest USGA championship and replaces the now-retired U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship which was established in 1922.
Criticism
During the 2015 U.S. Open, Chambers Bay was subject to criticism for its bumpy greens, unfair course design, and poor accessibility for spectators. Nine-time major championGary 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." In 2017, the fine fescue greens were allowed to transition to poa annua, the dominant 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.
