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November 2008
U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open Championship Preparations
By David Wienecke
2008 has been a banner year for Chambers Bay, with golfers travelling from all over the United States to experience Pure Links Golf, and to see for themselves why Chambers Bay was chosen to host the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open Championships. This is the third installment in our series detailing changes and improvements that are taking place on the golf course as we prepare to host the world's best amateur and professional golfers.
Several items that were detailed in previous installments have already been completed. Our 22,000 sq. ft. fine fescue turf nursery was seeded on October 29. The nursery sod will be used to repair areas that are worn as the high volume of play takes its toll on the delicate fescue turf. Having our own on-site nursery providing sod that matches the fine fescue found on the golf course allows us to maintain high-quality year-round playing conditions. This new turf ensures that we will be able to maintain the fast and firm conditions that epitomize Pure Links Golf at Chambers Bay throughout the coming weeks and months as we lead up to U.S. Amateur Championship Week.
The new fairway and rough mow lines were finished October 31. In some instances, the fairway width shrinks from up to 130 yards to just 40-50 yards in the landing areas on holes No. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 14, 16, and 18. Throughout the remaining months of 2008 and through 2009, we will be developing these new areas into playable turf zones with mowing heights ranging from 0.5" to 3" for fairway, intermediate rough and regular rough turf, which then transitions into tall, wispy dune grass.
Dune maintenance is in full swing as well following the hiring of a new, 5-person crew dedicated to removing weeds and planting new sheep, hard and red fescue grasses in bare dune areas. Additionally, this crew will work on installing supplemental irrigation where needed and maintaining the natural aesthetics of the dunes. Already the work of this crew has produced results that are visually stunning.
We will be installing the official U.S. Open Rolex clock near the East Putting Green. The electrical conduit and concrete foundations were finished November 7 and the clock will be operational within the next two weeks.
With the onset of cooler winter temperatures, our cultivation and sand topdressing has been put on hold. During the winter months, we will be focusing on replacing the turf in some high traffic areas with new sod and restoring tee locations and fairway landing zones that have been impacted by heavy play. Since Chambers Bay is blessed by a naturally moderate climate, we continue to grow and mow turf almost every week of the year. The year-round growing climate in a big benefit for golfers, allowing for firm and fast turf conditions every month of the year.
Throughout the coming months, the changes and improvements that are currently taking place on the golf course will produce a Pure Links Golf experience unlike any you will find the in Pacific Northwest. The winter weather, firm and fast conditions and fine fescue will give you a true taste of Scotland and Ireland, right in your own backyard. Welcome to Chambers Bay....Pure Links Golf.
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