U.S. Open figures to be no picnic at new venue
Golfers encounter uneven lies just about anywhere on the course, whether in the fairway, rough, bunkers or even putting surfaces. Sidehill lies and downhill slopes are nothing uncommon.
But on the teeing area? And at the U.S. Open to boot?
That’s what the best players in the world will face in June when the U.S. Open goes to Chambers Bay near Tacoma, Wash. — the first time the national championship has been held in the Pacific Northwest.
Chambers Bay is a dailyfee facility that opened in 2007, and it is a dramatic but raw Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that sits along Puget Sound. It is a true links layout with only one tree on the property, but several of the tee boxes — known as ribbon tees — have uneven lies that the USGA intends to use during the tournament. It is the first time a U.S. Open has been staged on a course with all fescue grass.
Mike Davis, the USGA’s executive director, already knows not everybody will like the venue.
“This is a one-of-a-kind site for us at a U.S. Open,” Davis said. “There is going to be some players that just love this ground game and love the imagination and embrace it. And then there are other players who just want predictability. They want something right in front of them. They don't want to have to guess what is going to happen after the ball lands. It's just a different mindset.”
Davis said only players who really study and learn Chambers Bay will have success.
“The idea of coming in and playing two practice rounds and just walking it and using your yardage book, that person is done,” Davis said. “Will not win the U.S. Open.”
On the rise
Gabe Bubon is building quite a powerhouse since the golf program was reinstated at Point Park University.
For the third year in a row, the Pioneers won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament to qualify for the NAIA national championship May 19-22 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Point Park held the 36hole lead and won the KIAC tournament at Liberty Country Club in Liberty, Ind., by 15 shots after posting a final-round team score of 308. Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky., finished second.
The Pioneers had never qualified for the national tournament in back-to-back years, let alone three in a row. Before 2013, the only other time the school made it to the NAIA championship was in 1969.
But the following year, the golf program was discontinued and wasn’t reinstated by the school until 2009.
“The guys buy into everything we talk about and they go out there and produce,” said Bubon, the only head coach since the program returned. “They have to go out there and do the work and they’ve done it the last three years and we couldn’t be happier.”
Chip shots
• An Arizona man bought a set of used clubs from a thrift shop in Sedona and found more than just irons and fairway metals in the bag. Mel Grewing discovered a loaded .22 caliber pistol that he assumed belonged to the previous owner. That is one man you don’t want to face in a sudden-death playoff.
• A man living in a tree to protest the building of a golf course in New Orleans fell out of the tree, abruptly ending his 11-day demonstration. Jonathan Boover flipped out of a hammock perched in the tree and had to be taken by ambulance to a hospital. Not before local officials enforced the lift, clean and arrest rule on Boover.
Local honors
The Tri-State PGA announced its award winners for 2015:
Merchandiser of the year: Jason Marciniec, St. Clair CC (private), Frank Blazewick, Stonecrest GC (public), Justin Beard, Resort at Glade Springs (resort); Youth Player Development: Richard Logan, Rolling Fields GC; Teacher of the Year: Kevin Shields, Club at Nevillewood; Horton Smith Award: Dr. Vanessa MacKinnon, California University (Pa.); Bill Strausbaugh Award: John Aber, Allegheny CC; Player Development: Chip Carrel, Treesdale; Patriot Award: Dennis Wuyscik, Diamond Run GC; Professional of the Year: Joe Klinchock, Chartiers CC.
The winners will be honored at the Tri-State’s annual fall meeting Nov. 2 at Montour Heights CC.
Dissa and data
•The Women's Golf Association State Women's Golf Association are hosting a junior girls clinic Wednesday at Oakmont p.m., is open to girls of all skill levels ages 8-18. Oakmont director of golf Bob Ford, Oakmont Devin Gee, World Golf Hall of Famer Carol Semple Thompson and other local Tri-State professionals will be instructors. Special guest is trick-shot specialist Dennis Walters. Fee is $20; www.WGAWP.com to register.
• The golf team at Ligonier Valley High School is trying to raise money to fund its program and will hold a benefit outing July 24 at Champion Lakes GC in Bolivar. Cost is $75 per player, $280 foursome, and includes 18 holes, chicken and ribs dinner, skill and door prizes. Information can be found on Facebook or calling coach Al Gaiardo at 724-309-8337.
• The second Fore the Families outing, benefiting Family House Charity, is June 8 at Cranberry Highlands GC. Cost is $800 per foursome. Call 412-647-5893 for information.