The United States Golf Association announced Friday that Chambers Bay will be the site of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open.
“Chambers Bay was designed and built with a major championship in mind,” said Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, “but we never dreamed we’d be chosen by the USGA to host both the Amateur and the Open. Especially not so close to the opening of the course. It is a true honor.”
The U.S. Open is predicted to have a considerable economic impact on the county and the surrounding area. Estimates go as high as $100 million.
“Based on past championships, we expect more than 20,000 hotel rooms to be booked for as long as a week,” said Denise Dyer, Pierce County Economic Development Director. “And that’s just the beginning. There could be as many as 60,000 people dining in local restaurants, shopping in local stores, enjoying the local nightlife and doing all the other things tourists do everyday. There’s no arguing the U.S. Open will provide a major boost to the local economy.”
A new club house, lodging and a practice facility are in the plans for Chambers Bay. By the end of the month, Pierce County will send out a Request For Proposal to interested private developers. It is hoped the clubhouse will be ready for the U.S. Amateur in two years. The USGA will be involved in the process.
Chambers Bay has received an unprecedented number of industry accolades since opening in June 2007.