Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Rick Sides on January 14, 2023, 12:57:58 PM
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I will be in Seattle a few days this summer . I know Chambers Bay took a lot of heat at the US Open . For those have played it , is it worth a play or do you have any other suggestions in Seattle area/ Northern Oregon ?
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Rick,
I've played Chambers quite a bit and recommend it. It's unique in the golf world and you will have an opinion one way or the other. I also like Gold Mountain - Olympic.
Brent
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I was in Seattle last March and absolutely loved it. I think it would be a mistake to miss it.
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Cal it looks great. Did you take a caddy ?
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I did not. I played with a couple of local guys pulling trolleys. I have a small Sunday bag I use when I’m traveling. At 50 years old I didn’t find the walk all that bad, a couple of tall climbs, but nothing crazy.
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Played there in March and thoroughly enjoyed it except for the greens……they were super slow.
The walk is a bit stout but nothing an average shape person couldn’t take and the views are stunning.
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What else is there around Seattle that's even worth a second thought?
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Farther from Seattle than I imagined: An hour drive.
Municiple Course? Yes, in the sense that there is a public walking trail running through the course and the Practice Range used at the Open was full of people enjoying their dogs. (practice range was warm-up only and irons only?... a positive for me, as hitting balls before playing has no correlation in quality of course) No, riding a shuttle to the first tee seems very odd for a municipal course.
Architecturally: aesthetically it fits the bill of 'great/good,' sometimes fast and firm 'look' of what is celebrated on this site. I find it plays very similar to the defunct Prince Course on Kauai, another RTJ Jr. Course. (#10 is just as bad as #12 on the Prince Crs, but both are VERY pleasing on the eyes.) Green complexes are nothing special irrespective of inconsistency with agronomy/maintenance.
Worth a play? Yes. Special only because it was built. Very little substance in routing and design. Don't think it would garner discussion if not for '15 US Open.
Gamble Sands is worth the long drive (4.5 hours from Seattle) as an upgrade.
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Rick,
I've played Chambers quite a bit and recommend it. It's unique in the golf world and you will have an opinion one way or the other. I also like Gold Mountain - Olympic.
Brent
Good suggestion...
Ms Sheila and I played Gold Mountain in the morning and then drove to CB to play at a twilight rate back in 2010... CB had many great looks but it didn't play as linksy or fast as we expected at that time. Would like to play it again, only remember I think steep hill on #12 being a challenge, maybe it was speed to see where drive ended up.. ::)
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Rick,
I would also highly recommend a round at CB. It is a bit of a tough walk, so you're probably gonna feel it.
P.S. Not sure what your schedule is like, but if you're willing to do some car time, a loop to include Gamble Sands and Wine Valley is well worth it. All 3 are solid DS 8s in my book.
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Hey Rick, I'd also highly recommend Chambers.
Another one I happened to play when I was out there that I would take a look at is West Seattle GC, a Chandler Egan design that I enjoyed a good deal.
But I would play Chambers without hesitation.
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I lived in University Place for a time and was also a member at Fircrest when Jeff Mingay was just getting started with his work there. I loved Fircrest and thought it was extremely underrated. I equate it to sort of a Pacific Northwest version of Palmetto in some ways. That said, skipping Chambers is a massive mistake. As Tom notes, in the Puget Sound area, it’s Chambers and then everything else.
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Why does CB get a $$$ pass?
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What else is there around Seattle that's even worth a second thought?
Your course at Tumble Creek, 80 miles east. Otherwise, it's Chambers Bay with maybe Sahalee (through the trees), Aldarra, Inglewood, Fircrest, and Gold Mountain on the Olympic Peninsula at the next level. In town, Seattle GC is a better club than course, and Sand Point is fun, sporty, and creative with David Kidd's recent renovation. No great public golf offerings in Western Washington outside of Chambers.
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I will be in Seattle a few days this summer . I know Chambers Bay took a lot of heat at the US Open . For those have played it , is it worth a play or do you have any other suggestions in Seattle area/ Northern Oregon ?
I've only played it once, just after it opened, but I would absolutely love to get back out there. My brother lived in Seattle for 10 years and I can't think of much else to recommend. Sahalee was better than I expected and I have good memories from Gold Mountain, but they aren't in the same league as Chambers.
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No clue what hurt the nay-sayers. We played it in 2015, after a week at Bandon. We had grapefruits for calves by then, and the walk was still challenging (I had just turned 50 that week.) I recall the shuttle down to #1 tee, and another shuttle up to #4 or #5 tee (like Heatattack Hill on Bandon Trails.)
I would play Chambers Bay again and again, and I would enjoy the photography as much as the golf. Spectacular routing and workmanship. Enjoy!!
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Why does CB get a $$$ pass?
JK,
I'll take a stab at this given it may have been partially directed at me.
Just looked on Chambers site and there are oodles of tee times in May for $220/pp. Even June and - August are only a bit more @ $240-280/pp.
Compare that to:
Pebble @ $625/PP + 3 night minimum lodging at over $1000 per night.... just to lock in one tee time.
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I played there shortly after the US Amateur, so it's been a while. I thought it was a blast, though a couple of holes had a goofy golf element. I'd love to play it again, but doubt I'd play it frequently if I lived in the area.
I'd have been lost without a caddy, both in getting around and how to play many holes.
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A public(?) course that doesn't allow carts is just wrong. :P
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Why does CB get a $$$ pass?
JK,
I'll take a stab at this given it may have been partially directed at me.
Just looked on Chambers site and there are oodles of tee times in May for $220/pp. Even June and - August are only a bit more @ $240-280/pp.
Compare that to:
Pebble @ $625/PP + 3 night minimum lodging at over $1000 per night.... just to lock in one tee time.
Thanks for setting the standard. Erin Hills is a more accurate comparison from an architectural and cultural perspective.
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What else is there around Seattle that's even worth a second thought?
Not much. I played Chambers Bay after the US Amateur but before they flattened a bunch of the greens. I thought it was just dreadful, but I'm in the minority there. Maybe it's better now after the work. Gorgeous views though.
Aldarra and Gold Mountain Olympic are about it. I lived there for three years and I tell everyone who asks me about places to play to leave their clubs at home and go visit Rainier and North Cascades instead.
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I lived in University Place for a time and was also a member at Fircrest when Jeff Mingay was just getting started with his work there. I loved Fircrest and thought it was extremely underrated. I equate it to sort of a Pacific Northwest version of Palmetto in some ways. That said, skipping Chambers is a massive mistake. As Tom notes, in the Puget Sound area, it’s Chambers and then everything else.
Hi Ben,
I can't believe how long it's been since we ran into each other on the 3rd green at Fircrest, while we were working on that hole.
Fircrest was a tough place to work. Very few members appreciate the course's pedigree, and weren't even willing to learn about it. As a result, we've been unable to get everything that needs to be done, done. That being said, while it's probably not worth a special trip, Fircrest is still a fun course to play and an interesting one to see if you're heading to play Chambers and have time for another round. Tacoma Country & Golf Club is another good option, if you have some time in the area.
Similarly, the old private clubs in Seattle might not be worth a special trip, but you're going to have fun playing Inglewood, Broadmoor ... even Overlake. But, wait until we're done with Overlake in March ;)
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I should also add that superintendent Mike Goldsberry has done some really neat stuff at Wing Point, on Bainbridge Island (30 minutes ferry ride from downtown Seattle). I've been fortunate to help Mike and his staff out with some significant improvement at Wing Point over the last few years, and more.
Our par 3 10th has become one of the most controversial holes in the Puget Sound ;D
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I lived in University Place for a time and was also a member at Fircrest when Jeff Mingay was just getting started with his work there. I loved Fircrest and thought it was extremely underrated. I equate it to sort of a Pacific Northwest version of Palmetto in some ways. That said, skipping Chambers is a massive mistake. As Tom notes, in the Puget Sound area, it’s Chambers and then everything else.
Hi Ben,
I can't believe how long it's been since we ran into each other on the 3rd green at Fircrest, while we were working on that hole.
Fircrest was a tough place to work. Very few members appreciate the course's pedigree, and weren't even willing to learn about it. As a result, we've been unable to get everything that needs to be done, done. That being said, while it's probably not worth a special trip, Fircrest is still a fun course to play and an interesting one to see if you're heading to play Chambers and have time for another round.
Jeff,
It’s been a minute that’s for sure!
I’ll agree that Fircrest was an interesting place. The land movement was pretty good in my opinion, and the siting of the greens were, for the most part, well done. As a golfer first, the mentality at the club was a bit of a bummer for me. It was a nice hang and the folks were nice. But for the most part I’m not so sure they (members and staff) had any clue what they were sitting on.
Not that you require it, but I’ll say that what you were allowed to do there drastically improved a number of holes. Holes like 2, 9, 13, 16, and 17 were massively better.
For the purposes of this thread, like a number of the best courses in the Puget Sound, it’s worth a visit if you’re there and have the time. But a Chambers is the main event. Hope you’re well Jeff.
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Here is an update on new hotel at Chambers Bay:
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/pierce-county-chambers-bay-golf-course-expansion/281-7980b51f-c434-42bc-9cfd-5a1e4b1c59e3
Here was the original plan:
https://www.knkx.org/news/2019-05-08/resort-coming-soon-to-jewel-of-pierce-county-after-council-approves-controversial-proposal
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Here is an update on new hotel at Chambers Bay:
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/pierce-county-chambers-bay-golf-course-expansion/281-7980b51f-c434-42bc-9cfd-5a1e4b1c59e3 (https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/pierce-county-chambers-bay-golf-course-expansion/281-7980b51f-c434-42bc-9cfd-5a1e4b1c59e3)
Here was the original plan:
https://www.knkx.org/news/2019-05-08/resort-coming-soon-to-jewel-of-pierce-county-after-council-approves-controversial-proposal (https://www.knkx.org/news/2019-05-08/resort-coming-soon-to-jewel-of-pierce-county-after-council-approves-controversial-proposal)
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I played CB in 2014, about a year to the date before the U.S. Open. Didn't love it.
Played on consecutive days this past July and really enjoyed it.
It plays firm in a part of the country where that doesn't happen a lot, the greens are interesting, hitting directly at the pin is rarely the right play. There's a really nice mix of holes.
I wholeheartedly endorse the place.
I haven't played a ton of golf in Seattle, but I also enjoyed Tacoma, Aldarra and Inglewood.
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I have probably played as many courses in Seattle/N Oregon area as anyone around here and there is no question that Chambers is superior (by far) than any other course in the area and certainly a must for if you are a GCA person visiting the area.
I would actually recommend Sahalee just for the contrast and get the full Pacific NW experience. Even though it is heavily wooded, it is surprisingly playable even when hit into the trees.
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I played CB in 2014, about a year to the date before the U.S. Open. Didn't love it.
Played on consecutive days this past July and really enjoyed it.
It plays firm in a part of the country where that doesn't happen a lot, the greens are interesting, hitting directly at the pin is rarely the right play. There's a really nice mix of holes.
I wholeheartedly endorse the place.
I haven't played a ton of golf in Seattle, but I also enjoyed Tacoma, Aldarra and Inglewood.
Never played but if Shelman liked it then that is enough for me.
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My son played Chambers Bay a couple years ago in the summer and said it was absolutely one of his most enjoyable golf days ever -- and he's played a good amount of top courses.
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Rick,
Why would you not? You get to play the most unique US Open course, maybe ever. The bad greens are long gone but the course is not. You will enjoy the walk, the views of the Sound are unbeatable. Outside the clubhouse you get a look of the entire course from one place. Is there another great course like that? Then you get to play it. Check out the putt Spieth made on 17, which is rarely mentioned. Check out the second shot on 18, marked with a small plaque. And you can see where DJ ran his uphill putt to far by the hole, and missed coming back. There is also a goofy, deep bunker the USGA added to the fairway on 18 to make second shots more of a challenge. Only one player all week went down there. Tiger.
Enjoy the experience, it is special.