Those pesky greens continue to cause grief at Chambers Bay.
Chambers Bay has been replaced by Oregon's Bandon Dunes Golf Resort as host of the 2019 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, according to the United States Golf Association.
Chambers Bay will host the event in 2021 instead, allowing time for a "turfgrass transition project" to replace its much-maligned fescue greens with Poa annua. As every golf fan knows, Chambers Bay took plenty of heat during a controversial 2015 U.S. Open, where players griped and groaned about inconsistent green speeds and conditions. The Robert Trent Jones Jr. course is owned by Pierce County. A USGA statement reads:
The ongoing turfgrass project, which will transition the putting surfaces at Chambers Bay from fescue to Poa annua grass, will provide long-term benefits to the facility, which is an important asset to the community and region, according to Matt Allen, general manager of Chambers Bay.
Bandon Dunes, also managed by KemperSports, has been a regular stop for USGA events. It will also host the 2020 U.S. Amateur - its seventh USGA event following the 2006 Curtis Cup, 2007 U.S. Mid-Amateur, the 2011 U.S. Amateur Public Links and 2011 Women’s Public Links (held at the same time but no longer in existence) and the 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball. The 2019 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, a stroke-play tournament featuring 128 two-man teams, will be held May 25-29 on two resort courses to be named later.
"The USGA is extremely grateful to owner Mike Keiser and Bandon Dunes, a trusted supporter of amateur golf, for agreeing to host the 2019 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball while this work occurs at Chambers Bay," USGA senior managing director John Bodenhamer said in a release.
Meanwhile, this announcement raises questions about Chambers Bay's immediate future: Could poor green conditions scare customers away during the transition? That won't be good news for the big plans unveiled last fall to build a 160-room hotel, golf clubhouse, meeting and event space, spa and 200-seat restaurant on the site.
The most recent Golf Advisor review of Chambers Bay came in October from user 'Lcholette', who noted in his two-star review that the "Greens were in terrible condition. Way over priced for conditions." Golf Advisor's Tim Gavrich was more diplomatic in his assessment during a round in August, writing in his five-star review: "Things are improving on that front (regarding the greens), though the course still has a ways to go before the conditions match up with the phenomenal design of the course and scenery."
Would you like to see Chambers Bay host more USGA events or other tournaments? Does it deserve a second U.S. Open? Post your comments and opinions below:
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I would love to see Chambers Bay host more events. I can see them charging an arm and leg for outside of Pierce County residents, but for Pierce County the price should be lowered. I would hope they would look at the way San Francisco does the TPC Harding Park.
Yes more events
The greens play much better than they look right now
Course layout is phenomenal
I have as fortunate enough to play Chambers Bay 2 weeks before the open, in a charitable tournament. The course required different shot making ability on all the holes. To me the challenge was there. We had the ability to see where the pros would be teeing from and to that was a lot of yardage they had to master. I shot and 88/90 and had a great time. One of the assist pros was our caddy whom I knew from his pro stint at a different course had it not been for him I would not have learned where to hit the ball to give me my best optimum score, and yes he said to me I have not seen anyone since I worked here get 2 double sandy pars. We thanked him and oh what a pleasure it was. Yes, the Pros should have to come back, hopefully in 4/5years. Who said Golf should be easy anyway!!!
Chambers Bay had its chance. It flunked. Don't go back for any pro event until it is a whole lot better. And not just the greens; it doesn't televise well, and that has to be fixed.
Hadn't heard comments on TV coverage, but that is exactly what I thought.
Great article Jason. Love the Sandpiper pic. Playing Tobacco Road this April on our trip to Pinehurst. Will let you know how it goes!
Thanks
I love Chambers Bay. It deserves more USGA events. The green conversion makes sense but the course is unique and a gem. It does need a clubhouse.
I played Chambers bay in August & enjoyed it immensely. It did take me to the back 9 to catch on to the greens but they were good overall. Once they are redone the place will be great.
When conditions warrant, yes.
It is not justified from any other perspective until the top pros can be pleased and sing its praises. Good luck with the changes.
Chambers should NEVER host another USGA event...it isn't just the turf, its also a number of horrible golf holes.