Chambers Bay replaces greens, will re-open in March

Chambers Bay will replace its fine fescue putting surfaces with perennial Poa annua in a decision that will immediately improve daily playing conditions and ensure the ability to conduct an exemplary USGA Championship in 2021, officials for Chambers Bay recently announced. Chambers Bay — site of the 2021 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, 2015 U.S. Open and the 2010 U.S. Amateur championships — The course closed in October and will re-open March 19, 2019.

The ongoing turfgrass project will provide long-term benefits to the facility, which is an important asset to the community and region, according to Matt Allen, General Manager. Chambers Bay is owned by Pierce County and operated by KemperSports.

In early 2017, turfgrass health issues surfaced on three putting greens (No. 7, No. 10, and No. 13), and the decision was made to re-sod those greens with a local source of Poa annua. Results of that sod work prompted conversations between KemperSports, Pierce County, and the USGA about the prospect of re-surfacing every green. By the end of the year, consensus had been reached that such a project would not only ensure better putting surfaces for future championships, but would improve the every-day experience.