CRASH COURSE

Open players have harsh words about ‘ridiculous’ Chambers Bay

Players have not held back criticism of Chambers Bay, which will host the U.S. Open beginning later this week. Ryan Palmer (left) called the Washington State course “ridiculous.” People have told Ian Poulter (right) it is a “farce.” And Henrik Stenson (right) said it’s a “tricked-up links course.”

In advance of this week’s U.S. Open, the reviews of Chambers Bay, the site of this year’s national championship, have been coming in fast and furious.

Ryan Palmer was one of the first PGA Tour players to weigh in on Chambers Bay, criticizing the golf course as well as the way USGA executive director Mike Davis plans to have it set up.

“As far as the greens are concerned, it’s not a championship golf course — not with the way some of the greens are and the pin placements they can put out there,” Palmer said. “[Davis’] idea of tee boxes is ridiculous. That’s not golf. I don’t care what anybody says. It will get a lot of bad press from the players. It is a joke. I don’t understand it. I just don’t know why they would do it.”

In some cases, the reviewers had not even seen the golf course before making their assessments. In a sense, Chambers Bay — an 8-yearold course built in an old quarry on the Puget Sound just south of Tacoma, Wash. — is like a new restaurant that has been reviewed before it has served its first meal.

“The reports back [from fellow players] are its a complete farce,” said Ian Poulter, who had not yet been to the course. “I guess someone has to win.”

Henrik Stenson, who walked the course, called it “a tricked-up links course.’’

Davis, who is in charge of course set up, ruffled a lot of players’ feathers when he said this last month:

“I would contend that there is no way — no way — a player would have success here at Chambers Bay unless he really studies the golf course and learns it. The idea of coming in and playing two practice rounds and having your caddie just walk it and using your yardage book, that person’s done [and] will not win the U.S. Open.”

“We’ll play for second,” former U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson said sarcastically in response to Davis’ claim.

“What’s Mike Davis’ handicap?” Rory McIlroy asked.

For Robert Trent Jones Jr., the architect of Chambers Bay, the chatter plays like the soothing sounds of a symphony. The more the players bellyache about the layout — a course Jones calls perhaps his proudest accomplishment as a course architect — it’s like turning up the volume to the beautiful music inside the artist’s head.

Every time Jones hears or reads about a player criticizing his golf course, it is as if he’s just birdied one of the holes himself.

“It is the field against the course, and the people who created the course and maintain and set up the course are their opponents,’’ Jones told The Post. “So when you look at it, myself and Mike Davis are like goalkeepers. I’m the composer, Mike Davis is the conductor and the players will play the music.’’

In essence, Chambers Bay is the concert hall where this U.S. Open will be played.

The fact it is new and — with its links-style turf and strategy — breaks the mold from the typical U.S. Open venues is part of what has some players’ bright-colored golf slacks in a bundle.

Asked if he sees the complains as constructive, Jones said, “It’s not constructive, it’s

“[USGA director Mike Davis’] idea of tee boxes is ridiculous. That’s not golf. I don’t care what anybody says. It will get a lot of bad press from the players. It is a joke. I don’t understand it. I just don’t know why they would do it.

— Tour player Ryan Palmer