3balls Golf
Being a dreamer and a golfer, I often dream about playing golf at some of the most beautiful golf courses around the world. I have a long list of courses that I hope to play before I die. I tend to split the list up between “realistic” and “in your dreams”. For example, realistically, I WILL play Whistling Straights in Wisconsin (host of the 2004, 2010, and 2015 PGA Championships), hopefully in the next five years. It is a public resort course, so getting to play there won’t be too difficult. Now, dreaming, I will play Augusta National before I die. While the odds are against me on this one, I still like to dream. I’d like to go through and begin sharing my list of courses one by one. Maybe I’ll present one that you haven’t heard of and will add it to your list.
Photo courtesy of www.chambersbaygolf.com
This week’s realistic course is Chambers Bay located in University Place, Washington. Chambers Bay hosted the 2010 U.S. Amateur and will host the 2015 U.S. Open. It is a true links style course operated by the same management company as Bandon Dunes
The one tree at Chambers Bay can be seen in the distance.
(Photo courtesy of Chris Anderson)
(another course on my list, but I’ll save that one for another day). The entire course has just ONE tree (a Douglas fir sitting between the 15th and 16th holes). I’m sure I’ll still find a way to end up in the trees on a tree-less course.
I don’t consider myself a huge fan of links style courses (growing up in the Midwest, I’ve had my fair share of windy, treeless courses). However, everything about this course interests me. One thing that really made me respect this course was the information about links courses they have on their website.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones II (who has designed numerous beautiful courses around the world, including Princeville Resort and The Prince Golf Course both in Hawaii), Chambers Bay is near the top of my list of courses I want to play. With greens fees at a respectable $205 and under, it won’t put a huge dent on the wallet, especially considering it will be hosting the U.S. Open in 2015. At nearly 7,600 yards from the back tees, I’d suggest playing from a shorter tee or at least bribing mother nature into providing a calm sunny day.
Check back next week for one of my favorite “in my dreams” courses.
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