Chambers Bay

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]