A few weeks ago the US Open concluded with heart break for
Dustin Johnson, but a well-earned trophy for young Jordan Speith, who played
consistently through the four days, on a course that was grueling. This edition
of the US Open was played at Chambers Bay. The golf course is only seven years
old and is the youngest golf course to ever host the US Open Championship.
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| An Aerial view of the property |
This years edition grabbed lots of media attention, not just
for the golfing spectacle unfolding on the greens, but the for the golf course
itself. It would be only modest to say that a few players were totally
dissatisfied at the conditions offered by Chambers Bay, the most vocal
professional was Ryan Palmer, who stated ‘its not a championship (level) golf
course’ when asked about the condition of the greens. This best captures the
attitude of many professionals going into the tournament.
What I felt was lacking at during this time was any
discussion on the amazing environmental achievements of Chambers Bay. From a
design and sustainability point of view, what Robert Trent Jones Jr. achieved
on this site is quite remarkable; and mind you this is a municipal golf course
not a private club.
The Chambers Bay Golf course is part of a 950-acre property
located near Tacoma, Washington. The golf course itself is 250 acres and was
built on an old gravel-mining site. In fact in the early century, this site has
been used for numerous industries like, paper mill, lumberyard, railroad
center, even a wasteland treatment center!
By design, this golf course is one of the finest examples in
the US of blending the artificial environment of the golf course with natural terrain
of the land. In fact the choice of grass on the golf course ‘Fine (chewing)
Fescue was used because it blends with the coastal grass land eco system
prevalent in the region There are a diverse number of flaura and fauna on the
property and the golf course features a 5 mile trail for visitors to appreciate
the natural beauty.
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| A view of the Golf Course |
Going forward golf courses need to be sustainable, where
they blend in to the natural environment. Typically the green carpets that most
golfers demand is extremely difficult to achieve and over time damages the
natural surroundings. For the good of the game, golf designers need to push
themselves to create international standard courses on tracks that may have
otherwise been left unkempt. This was a very bold and brave move by the USGA to
host its marquee event on such a golf course, but it was needed for the good of
the game. This body is leading
from the front in an effort to make the game more environmentally sensitive.
And… to all the naysayers, I think it is worth remembering a
quote from Mr. Jack Nicklaus ‘The course is not meant to suit your game, you
are meant to suit your game to the golf course’.
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