US Open, Chambers Bay

[Doomsday101]

Guess I will be one of the very few that loved the US Open. The course challenged every player every shot. It made them think their way the course. The last 9 holes was awesome golf between the best players in the world. As for the telecast it is what it is. The USGA and PGA Tour should have had Fox broadcast a couple of tournaments prior to the US Open to work out the kinks.

Can't say I hated the course just think a more traditional US course should have been hosting as opposed to a Link Style course which is what is typical at the British Open. As far as Chambers Bay it was a tough course that required the players to be precise with their distance control and accuracy of the shot. Mistakes were costly but that is how an Open Championship should be.

 

[Doc50]

Yeah, Buck had several inaccuracies, the graphics and shot info and scoring data was inadequate, Weiskopf was at times incoherant, and Norman was embarrassing when he tried to explain the pathophysiology of disequilibrium.

The event didn't disappoint, though.
Lots of drama, extremely difficult venue, great and poor shots, and a few great rounds

Scott figured the place out, and shot 64 today.
Schwartzel and McElroy shot 64. It's interesting how the golfers who play challenging venues around the world in difficult conditions are more likely to rise up the leaderboard in the hardest tournaments.

Jordon's career is of to a historic start, but Justin's is looking a bit scarred. He didn't putt well enough to win, and that was evident on several holes besides #18. I hope he'll be able to appreciate his immense talent, and not let this loss hold him back.

Typo -- Schwartzel and McElroy shot 66.

 

[Doc50]

Can't say I hated the course just think a more traditional US course should have been hosting as opposed to a Link Style course which is what is typical at the British Open. As far as Chambers Bay it was a tough course that required the players to be precise with their distance control and accuracy of the shot. Mistakes were costly but that is how an Open Championship should be.

Since US golfers can be at a distinct disadvantage playing overseas, I would prefer our national championship be played at a venue that gives us an advantage.

OTOH, this type of course should at least give some experience to our boys for international play, like Walker and Ryder Cups.

BTW, did you know that the Walker Cup is named for the president of the USGA in 1920 when the event was initiated, one George Herbert Walker, Grandfather of George Herbert Walker Bush (#41).

 

[Doomsday101]

Since US golfers can be at a distinct disadvantage playing overseas, I would prefer our national championship be played at a venue that gives us an advantage.

OTOH, this type of course should at least give some experience to our boys for international play, like Walker and Ryder Cups.

BTW, did you know that the Walker Cup is named for the president of the USGA in 1920 when the event was initiated, one George Herbert Walker, Grandfather of George Herbert Walker Bush (#41).

I just tend to like the traditional US courses over that of Links style courses and I think the course should be representative of US Golf just as British links courses are representative of British Golf. I do agree that playing and winning at Chambers Bay gives the US players a feel for Links golf they will have in less than a month.

Yes I did know the Walker Cup was named after President GH Bush father.

 

[viman96]

Why should the US Open exclude Links style courses? I would think the main reason it has been in the past is there has not been many true Links style courses in the US worthy of hosting such a championship. We have a few now on the West Coast and IMO they really need to work out the logistics to make it better for the fans. Links golf is becoming part of the our landscape and should be represented.

Also this is not the first time we have seen burnt out greens. Not long ago the USGA was watering the greens during the round because they let it get away from them. IMO the lesson here is for the USGA to pay better attention to the conditions and not blame the course.

 

[Rogah]

I get tired of hearing these golfers complain about course conditions. Everyone is playing on the same course, so shut up. The cream will rise to the top. I respect the guys who invite the challenge of something different. Not every course is Augusta National.

 

[Doc50]

I get tired of hearing these golfers complain about course conditions. Everyone is playing on the same course, so shut up. The cream will rise to the top. I respect the guys who invite the challenge of something different. Not every course is Augusta National.

And that's why we don't fare as well internationally -- too used to pristine conditions.

I did note that Poulter was one of those complaining, but he whines about everything.

 

[viman96]

Poulter has always irritated me. He is the modern version of Colin Montgomery (grumpy) but not as talented.

 

[Doomsday101]

Why should the US Open exclude Links style courses? I would think the main reason it has been in the past is there has not been many true Links style courses in the US worthy of hosting such a championship. We have a few now on the West Coast and IMO they really need to work out the logistics to make it better for the fans. Links golf is becoming part of the our landscape and should be represented.

Also this is not the first time we have seen burnt out greens. Not long ago the USGA was watering the greens during the round because they let it get away from them. IMO the lesson here is for the USGA to pay better attention to the conditions and not blame the course.

And that's why we don't fare as well internationally -- too used to pristine conditions.

I did note that Poulter was one of those complaining, but he whines about everything.

I think overall it is about the individual golfer, something like the last 8 of 11 US open were won by European players. Yet 6 of the last 12 British Opens have been won by US players

 

[jimmy40]

And that's why we don't fare as well internationally -- too used to pristine conditions.

I did note that Poulter was one of those complaining, but he whines about everything.

The European Tour is on the Golf channel every week, they ain't playing in the middle of cow pastures over there. The Europeans are just better at playing team golf.

 

[jimmy40]

I am not much of a golf fan. About the only time I watch it is if we are up at the inlaws, which is quite often now due to some circumstances, but I have to say.

I don't know if they will have another major TV tournament at that golf venue as frankly it was visually ugly.

I know I know I know, it had this and that and was a challenge and different and all of that but with the fairways and greens look like dried out dirty brown grass it is just not visually pleasing and the roughs looked like a side of the kills you would see goats or cows grazing on in a classic western movie.

I told the father in law that I kept expecting Clint Eastwood to trot by in his horse looking like he is making another of his classic spaghetti westerns of old.

What was funny is they kept talking about how beautiful the venue was but all you could see was dead grass in an old rock quarry.

 

[jimmy40]

I don't understand why Fox didn't have the tv cranes that are always used for golf tournaments, it's why their cameramen couldn't find the balls because they weren't following the flight of the ball, just using that stupid tracer from behind the tees.

 

[viman96]

What was funny is they kept talking about how beautiful the venue was but all you could see was dead grass in an old rock quarry.

Guess you missed the numerous times they showed the huge snow capped mountain in the background and all the blue water with sail boats drifting in the Puget Sound over the 4 days.

 

[jimmy40]

Guess you missed the numerous times they showed the huge snow capped mountain in the background and all the blue water with sail boats drifting in the Puget Sound over the 4 days.

saw it, the golf course was butt ugly, kind of a big part of the venue. How many shot's of the water or mountain did we get while the players were hitting shots? We did get to see the smoke from the fire, that was cool.

 

[Doc50]

The European Tour is on the Golf channel every week, they ain't playing in the middle of cow pastures over there. The Europeans are just better at playing team golf.

The weather, weeds, fescue, pot bunkers, firmness - those conditions are tougher than our traditional parkland courses. I've played St Andrews Old and New courses, the Castle course, North Berwick, Turnberry, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Miurfield, and Gullane. The feel is much different and generally more challenging.

I'm sure you've also seen some Open Championships on TV that were absolutely brutal.