Chambers Bay, the links-style golf course developed by Pierce County along Puget Sound, has been rated by Golfweek as the Best New Golf Course for 2007 and Best New Daily-Fee and Municipal Course for 2005-2007. It ranks No. 2 on Golfweek’s list of Best New Courses of all types, including private and resort, for 2005-2007.
Senior Writer Bradley S. Klein observes in the magazine’s Oct. 20 issue that Chambers Bay “started with an abandoned sand and gravel quarry and was converted into a stunning, virtually treeless aggregation of manufactured dunes. A public-access walking trail was then woven through it and a park built alongside. The fescue-laden course still is growing in and maturing but already has attracted a cult-like following that walks and makes extensive use of a caddie corps assembled by KemperSports Management, which operates the golf facility.”
Envisioned by the county as a world-class facility to attract major national and local events, professional and amateur tournaments and traveling golfers in addition to providing recreational opportunities for golfers, walkers and other citizens for generations to come, Chambers Bay was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton and Jay Blasi of the Palo Alto, Calif.-based Robert Trent Jones II firm. The links-style layout officially opened on June 23.
Master architect Jones Jr. said the listing is confirmation that the region’s original vision is realized in Pierce County’s new venue. “We are honored that Chambers Bay has been selected as the daily fee development of the year by Golfweek. The award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire project team as well as the long-term vision outlined by [the county]. Our hope is that this vision will become a model for future publically owned golf facilities,” Jones Jr. said.
Jack Nicklaus, the ultimate power golfer and modernist architect, has six designs on the list, including No. 3 Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y. Nicklaus partnered on that project with Tom Doak, who designed Pacific Dunes in Bandon, OR and Tumble Creek, Roslyn, WA, which Golfweek ranked No. 31.
Golfweek’s course rankings are based on input from nearly 400 raters who visited courses that opened during the three-year period and submitted ballots based on 10 criteria.
For more information on Chambers Bay, visitchambersbaygolf.com.
