Gary Player on Golf Channel ripping the US Open

[clonedude]

Anyone else just see Gary Player on the Golf Channel just ripping Chambers Bay apart?

I pretty much agree with everything he said.

He was talking about how much of a joke this golf course is. Sure, it's unique and looks pretty cool, but it's a municipal public course and it's impossible to play for anyone other than a touring pro.

He talked about how technology is ruining the game because this course had to be about 7,800 yds long, which increases playing time significantly, and also increases watering costs, maintenance costs, etc. This course will likely become bankrupt and close at some point because people don't have 6 hours to go play it for $300+ per round and not enjoy themselves because it's unplayable.

Should make for some interesting discussion I'm sure.

 

[Gordyo5]

I can see his point and how that will be a challenge for the course that unless there are a lot of really rich members they are in trouble. I thought I was going to see a post about him complaining about them having to play there, which would be silly.

 

[JM4CY]

I wonder if he thinks we're going to a bowl?

 

[clonedude]

I wonder if he thinks we're going to a bowl?

Who cares..... please stay on topic.

 

[CYandIareBFFs]

It's literally the worst kept course I've ever seen, and the fkin US Open is being played on it. Look at the comparison between Augusta and Chambers Bay, it's astounding. I know they're two different styles of courses, but Augusta is gorgeous and Chambers Bay is a poorly kept public course at best.

 

[clonedude]

I don't mind courses being a little brown in places because I don't think golf courses should have to be watered constantly. But the greens should at least be receptive to good golf shots IMO.

The Pacific Northwest generally gets tons of rain, so if anything this course should be pretty green. But I think it's entirely built on sand, so I think it has to be watered constantly if you want it to remain green.

And the putting and chipping are just a joke on this course IMO. Like Gary Player said, you shouldn't have to play 15 ft of break on a 20 foot putt.

 

[BoxsterCy]

The PGA wanted to play the Open in Qatar but someone reminded them it was the "U.S." open so they compromised and played it on a Irish course that happens to be in the U.S.A.

These internationally famous golf course designers are the Barnum and Bailey of golf.

 

[bpmdu]

It's at least an interesting course, I'll give them that. Lots of complaints about the greens though and that's usually a bad sign. I sure wouldn't be willing to pay 300 to get on to a muni course, didn't realize it was that expensive.
I thought I saw that someone from the Cedar Rapids area designed or helped designed the course as part of the Bobby Jones group?

 

[CYandIareBFFs]

Idk, I feel it's just not at all in the state a major tournament's course should be in. HyVee Classic? Maybe. US Open. Not at all. It's tough to even distinguish where the fairway ends and the green begins.

 

[clonedude]

It's at least an interesting course, I'll give them that. Lots of complaints about the greens though and that's usually a bad sign. I sure wouldn't be willing to pay 300 to get on to a muni course, didn't realize it was that expensive.
I thought I saw that someone from the Cedar Rapids area designed or helped designed the course as part of the Bobby Jones group?

I was just guessing on the price to play Chambers Bay. I think Pebble Beach is $500 per round though, so I would have to imagine that Chambers Bay would have to be at least $300? As Player said, it has to cost a HUGE amount of money to maintain that place.

Pebble Beach though is very playable for the average golfer and the pro alike. They hold a bunch of pro-ams and celebrity charity events at Pebble Beach. I can't imagine watching average golfers try to play Chambers Bay. It would probably take them 6 hours with at least one hour or more set aside to look for lost balls.

 

[clonedude]

Idk, I feel it's just not at all in the state a major tournament's course should be in. HyVee Classic? Maybe. US Open. Not at all. It's tough to even distinguish where the fairway ends and the green begins.

Yeah, you can't tell where the fairway ends and the green begins. Which is fairly common on British Open courses, but this is in Seattle.

Is it just impossible to have better grass grow on the greens in this area of the country or what? They said this morning that there are 5 different kinds of grasses on these greens. They said there is no reason for that at all.

 

[SerenityNow]

Sounds like the greens are the worst of an already bad course. Not just the brown look, but they are really bumpy. One golfer (Stenson I think) said it was like putting on broccoli. Pretty sure this course and others like it will get no shot to host a major in the future.

 

[clonedude]

I was just guessing on the price to play Chambers Bay. I think Pebble Beach is $500 per round though, so I would have to imagine that Chambers Bay would have to be at least $300? As Player said, it has to cost a HUGE amount of money to maintain that place.

Pebble Beach though is very playable for the average golfer and the pro alike. They hold a bunch of pro-ams and celebrity charity events at Pebble Beach. I can't imagine watching average golfers try to play Chambers Bay. It would probably take them 6 hours with at least one hour or more set aside to look for lost balls.

I went and looked it up, and it's $275 to play a round here. Also, it is a walking only course.... no golf carts at all.

I'm not sure how many average golfers could even survive walking this course? Heck, some of these touring pros, who are in tremendous shape, are having difficulties walking it. Two caddies have fallen and gotten injured walking this place already.

I just don't know how many people are going to pay that kind of money to have a horrible time?

 

[clonedude]

Sounds like the greens are the worst of an already bad course. Not just the brown look, but they are really bumpy. One golfer (Stenson I think) said it was like putting on broccoli. Pretty sure this course and others like it will get no shot to host a major in the future.

I don't mind difficult greens, but a well struck putt should at least go straight and not bounce up and down all over the place. At least not for a US Open.

 

[Incyte]

Clonedude is outraged and goes on and on and on and on and on about it?

Just another day on CF I guess.

Also, fescue is a drought tolerant grass requiring significantly less maintenance costs.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

gary player should go back to canada and shut up. merica.

 

[JM4CY]

Clonedude is outraged and goes on and on and on and on and on about it?

Just another day on CF I guess.

Also, fescue is a drought tolerant grass requiring significantly less maintenance costs.

And he makes fun of me .... I'm never coming here again!!!

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

If this is gonna be America's St. Andrew's... I don't want one.

 

[isuforlife]

this course is terrible the grass looks like a un kept yard, i have been to lots of pga tournaments ,this is the worst

 

[CycloneDaddy]

Chances of me paying $300 (+ 14.5% tax) plus another $100 for a caddie for this course is about 0%.


on a related topic if you are playing slowly and backing up the course please let faster groups by you. Don't be ****** because I have to call the clubhouse and have a Marshall come out to talk to you.