September 2009
U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open Championship Preparations
By David Wienecke

The Chambers Bay U.S. Open Rolex clock is telling us that the world's best amateur golfers will be playing the first U.S. Amateur Championship ever contested on a public golf course in less than 12 months.  This edition of the Superintendent's update will highlight the work being done in preparation for this presitigious event, along with the improvements that are being made to ensure optimum playing conditions for our guests all year.

~ USGA Update
USGA Championship Committee Chairman Jim Hyler, Senior Director of Rules and Championships Mike Davis and Director of USGA Green Section, Northwest Region, Larry Gilhuly visited Chambers Bay in August to finalize details of the Championship preparations for next year's U.S. Amateur Championship.  The newly rebuilt No. 4 green complex, the nine newly constructed championship tees and the new championship practice facility are progressing and are on track for being ready well in advance of the August 23-29 U.S. Amateur.  The fine tuning on the new rough turf on ten fairways was also finalized.  The rough turf fine fescue will be grown at 3" and will provide a completely different playing experience and visual look, compared to the dense uniform 1/2" tall fairway height turf.  Firm and fast conditioning will be our focus for the next 10 months as we bring our course to peak conditions for the Championship.

~ Superintendent's Update
Chambers Bay Superintendent David Wienecke and Home Course Superintendent Kelly Donaldson recently returned from the 2009 U.S. Amateur played at Southern Hills Country Club and Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Southern Hills Superintendent Russ Meyer and Cedar Ridge Superintendent Mike Wooten were the consummate hosts, providing great insight from behind the scenes, detailing the logistic and agronomic requirements for hosting the USGA's oldest National Championship.

~ Behind the Scenes at Southern Hills
Heavy rains the week prior to the Championship resulted in wetter than desired course conditions, but greens still measured approximately 12.5" on the Stimpmeter.  57 Southern Hills employees worked hard mowing, raking and preparing the golf course each day between 5:00 and 9:00 a.m. and again between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m.  USGA staff set tee locations and assigned the cup locations ahead of play for all seven days.  Mother Nature cooperated to help dry out the golf course by the time Stroke Play began at both courses.  By Wednesday, all golfers moved to Southern Hills, as the field was reduced to the low 64 golfers that would begin Match Play.  In the 36 hole Final Match, Korean Byeong-Hun An became the youngest ever U.S. Amateur Champion, defeating Clemson University player Ben Martin 7 & 5. 

The U.S. Amateur will take place August 23-29 at Chambers Bay and the Home Course.  The event will be broadcast on NBC and The Golf Channel worldwide.  For more information and volunteer opportunities, visit the 2010 U.S. Amateur Championship website at www.2010usamateur.com.