2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Discussion Thread

[nevets88]

Yes, we have The Masters - tradition, Bobby Jones, the azaleas, but the USO is my favorite. At least you can play some of its courses. Like Chambers Bay. Local station does a pretty good walkthrough of each hole, plus links to the official site and regional and sectional qualifying details. The regional and sectionals are free to the public and you pretty much have free rein to get up close and personal (within reason) to anyone you want. And this will be the debut of Fox and Greg Norman and the new team. Lots of fodder for discussion.

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/news/qualifying/sectional.html

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/15/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-1-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/22/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-2-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/01/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-3-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/08/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-4-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/15/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-5-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/22/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-6-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/29/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-7-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/05/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-8-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/12/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-9-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/19/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-10-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/26/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-11-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/05/03/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-12-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/05/10/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-13-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/05/17/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-14-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/05/24/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-15-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/05/31/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-16-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/06/09/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-17-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/06/14/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-18-chambers-bay-golf-links/

The course site & blog:

http://www.chambersbaygolf.com/

http://www.blog-chambersbaygolf.com/

I for one will miss NBC's US Open theme song:

[ChrisP]

Can't wait for it. The only thing I'm kinda nervous about is it going to Fox. ESPN really marketed the Masters well....FoxSports1 has been a total bust so far and that's where the promotions will be for it since that's where Rounds 1 and 2 are. Also, a lot of first timers broadcasting. Brad Faxon got let go by NBC but picked up by Fox for the Open.

But outside of TV worries, I think it's going to be a great Open. Great golf course that should favor the big hitters. From early indications, if you finish Even Par at this thing, you're going to be in good shape. It sounds like it's going to be a true challenge.

[tristanhilton85]

Kind of odd to me that two holes (1 and 18) will play as Par Fours two days and Par Fives the other two.

[SeenRed]

Yes, that's something I didn't realize they were doing. I can't recall anything like this ever being done before, but I'm interested to see how it works. And I don't know much about Chambers Bay, but enjoyed watching those walkthroughs...looks like a very challenging course. Red

[skydog]

The US Open is my third favorite major (behind Masters and Open Champ.) but I'm excited for Chambers Bay. I'm concerned Fox's coverage but think the course and competition will deliver.

[Golfingdad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tristanhilton85

Kind of odd to me that two holes (1 and 18) will play as Par Fours two days and Par Fives the other two.

Yes, that's something I didn't realize they were doing. I can't recall anything like this ever being done before, but I'm interested to see how it works.

Not exactly the same, but definitely in the category of "anything like this" ... in 2008 at Torrey Pines.  The 14th hole is a 435 yard par 4, and on Saturday (and I believe Sunday as well) they played it from, basically, the ladies tees at 280-ish yards.

Granted, this is a little different in that we're talking about changing the par on the scorecard, but that is really only a cosmetic difference.

The idea of mixing up the tees and hole locations is what makes 4 days in a row at the same course seem less monotonous.  This year they're just going one extra step, apparently.

It intrigues me.

[Ferguson]

I think the course will be perfect for this event. Accuracy and length will be key. Regarding coverage: The US OPEN’s coverage on NBC the last number of years has been dreadful. Mike Tirico and his crescendo style of announcing will not be missed. I think FOX’s coverage will be "different" in terms of golf broadcasting.

[mchepp]

I am very concerned about Chambers Bay as a host course for a US Open for a few reasons. After watching the US Amateur there a few years ago the course is very quirky. I worry that there will not be much to separate the players and we will have a very bunched leaderboard. Two, the par 3's are all played from a tee way up on a hill to a green down at the bottom of the hill. I remember the camera would lose the ball on many of the par 3's because the green was so far below where the players were. The US Open might solve this with more/better camera operators but I remember not liking it on the US Amateur broadcast. Lastly, June in Washington state is right on the edge to the start of summer. Strange weather could still play a big role. A better way to say it unpredictable weather.

I am very intrigued to see how the USGA solves some of these issues.

[saevel25]

I am very concerned about Chambers Bay as a host course for a US Open for a few reasons. After watching the US Amateur there a few years ago the course is very quirky. I worry that there will not be much to separate the players and we will have a very bunched leaderboard. Two, the par 3's are all played from a tee way up on a hill to a green down at the bottom of the hill. I remember the camera would lose the ball on many of the par 3's because the green was so far below where the players were. The US Open might solve this with more/better camera operators but I remember not liking it on the US Amateur broadcast. Lastly, June in Washington state is right on the edge to the start of summer. Strange weather could still play a big role. A better way to say it unpredictable weather.

I am very intrigued to see how the USGA solves some of these issues.

I doubt weather will be an issue.

The whole month of June they average about 1.5 inches of rain, with 70 degree temperature. Wind looks to average 8-15 mph.

I think this course will be an interesting test. Kinda reminds of of Whistling Straits but more contoured to the land. I am sure the USGA will have this course reading to play. I think some of the European players will like this course more than PGA Tour players. Just more links style.

[ChrisP]

I think the course will be perfect for this event. Accuracy and length will be key.

Regarding coverage: The US OPEN’s coverage on NBC the last number of years has been dreadful. Mike Tirico and his crescendo style of announcing will not be missed. I think FOX’s coverage will be "different" in terms of golf broadcasting.

Really? I like NBC. I really like Dan Hicks, Johnny Miller, Roger Maltbie and Mark Rolfing. I think Maltbie is the best of any on course reporter, along with David Feherty. I could do without Peter Jacobsen, but other than that, I think NBC's coverage is stellar. I like Dottie Pepper as well. Obviously the ESPN part isn't great with Berman, but that's only for two hours and I can go to a bar and watch that part with the tv on mute. I think Joe Buck will be alright, but I don't like Brad Faxon. I'm curious how Greg Norman will be as an analyst. I'm just worried Fox is going to go crazy with the technology, much like they had the glowing puck when they first got hockey.

[oregongolfguy]

I'm excited.  I am actually going to look into how to go watch practice rounds.  Big events like this don't happen every day in the pacnw.  As a Phil fan I will be rooting hard for him to come through, although I wouldn't put money on it.  After that I just hope for a solid tournament and I enjoy watching the "younger" generation running and gunning out there.

[Golfingdad]

I'm excited.  I am actually going to look into how to go watch practice rounds.

http://www.usga.org/tickets.html  Go there and buy tickets.

[Quadhole]

Yes, we have The Masters - tradition, Bobby Jones, the azaleas, but the USO is my favorite. At least you can play some of its courses. Like Chambers Bay. Local station does a pretty good walkthrough of each hole, plus links to the official site and regional and sectional qualifying details. The regional and sectionals are free to the public and you pretty much have free rein to get up close and personal (within reason) to anyone you want. And this will be the debut of Fox and Greg Norman and the new team. Lots of fodder for discussion.

http://usga.usopen.com/

http://www.usga.org/articles/2015/02/usga-announces-local-qualifying-sites-for-2015-us-open-21474878839.html

http://www.usga.org/articles/2015/03/2015-u-s--open-sectional-qualifying-sites-announced.html

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/15/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-1-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/22/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-2-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/01/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-3-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/08/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-4-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/15/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-5-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/22/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-6-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/03/29/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-7-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/05/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-8-chambers-bay-golf-links/

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/12/u-s-open-hole-by-hole-preview-hole-9-chambers-bay-golf-links/

Awesome view of holes and feel for the course. Thank You so much...

Looks like the cut a chunk out of Scotland and dropped it right in Washington. Looks a lot like "The Open"

To the comments of bad visual on par 3s. A tower at the highest point near Tee Box could cover the shot. Otherwise, the Tower near the bottom would have to be 100ft high.

[jamo]

I think the network doing the coverage will have less than one percent of an impact on my enjoyment of the U.S. Open. As long as they stream it and do all that sort of stuff, I couldn't care much less who's calling the event.

[Golfingdad]

I think the network doing the coverage will have less than one percent of an impact on my enjoyment of the U.S. Open. As long as they stream it and do all that sort of stuff, I couldn't care much less who's calling the event.

Agree 100%.  And based on the teaser coverage they gave us in winter (I forget which tournament) there were actually a couple of technical things that would lead me to say that that might be 1% in the positive direction.  (Specifically thinking of the shot they had of a guy in the fairway and the camera backed up from behind them and also raised up into the air to give a really cool perspective of the entire shot.

[Shindig]

My memory is a little fuzzy on this -- can someone tell me if they've changed par mid-tournament before? I seem to think they did, and I want to say it was 2012 (I definitely remember them moving the tees up on a par-5). And, as @Golfingdad pointed out, the 2008 U.S. Open where the 14th hole's tees were moved up, turning it from a two-shot par-4 to a drivable one (as opposed to the previous year, where they had a driveable par-3 instead).

[nevets88]

I think the network doing the coverage will have less than one percent of an impact on my enjoyment of the U.S. Open. As long as they stream it and do all that sort of stuff, I couldn't care much less who's calling the event.

I agree too. You have major winner "lead" announcer w/big ego. The color guy who talks too much. Puff pieces that take away time from action. Blimps, CEOs, Acme long drive of the day. All these requisites are the same regardless of network. I noticed some of the better angles too. IMHO I think the hype will be disproportionate to the actual differences among the other networks.

[atb5079]

Hmmmm so is this course a lot like Whistling Straits? Or is it somewhat like Kiawah? Or just a more traditional Euro links course? I literally know nothing about it, but excited for some place new and different.

I'm excited for Fox. I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

Also sounds like driving accuracy is gonna be half the battle. Perhaps Stenson can summit greatness or Japanese Tiger?