Although still seven years away, Chambers Bay Golf Links in Washington state has recently been awarded the 2015 US Open.

This is big news for a golf course that is still in its infancy. Chambers Bay has only been open for less than eight months. The Chambers Bay golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Bruce Charlton. The course officially only opened in June of 2007, so it must be on the fast track to greatness. They were also awarded the 2010 US Amateur, a tune up to the Open if you will. The course is located on Puget Sound and was the idea of Pierce County executive John Ladenburg. Ladenburg sought to build a world-class golf facility that would attract not just wealthy golf travelers, but the prestigious US Open event as well.

Jones sought for Chambers Bay to be the Bethpage Black of the West coast. Of course, there is no likeness in design between them at all. The course some what reminds me of the Whistling Straits course that hosted the PGA Championship a few years ago, although sans Dye’s railroad ties. The course looks as if it will play a touch easier as well, but time will tell. Furthermore, the USGA will ensure scoring is kept in check so you know very few golfers will really go low. According to Ladenburg, “It’s not a local muny, he said.” "This is a different animal." Many in the community have criticized the cost of course construction, but it will attract golfers from all over, especially one it is recognized as a US Open heralded course. The positive economic impact that the week -long tourney brings should eventually quell all negativity.

The course is located on what was originally a sand and rock quarry, it boasts only one tree (my kind of course), sports magnificent views of the sound and is without cart paths. Old Tom Morris and Donald Ross as well as many an Irish links golfer would be proud.

Chambers Bay can say a big thank you to the members of Winged Foot who voted against hosting the 2015 Open. The Winged Foot members wished for more time in between events as their own club activities were greatly displaced or interrupted. Although a traditional course, Winged Foot won’t be missed after the US Open arrives at Chambers Bay. This will be the inaugural Open event in the state of Washington and only the third public facility to host the event, with the other courses being Bethpage Black (NY) and Torrey Pines (CA). Kudos to USGA director David Fay, who is pushing for more US Open tourneys that take place on our great public courses. I laud Mr. Fay for this strategy. Why? Because we all would love to experience these exact venues for ourselves one day.