Chambers Bay prepares to open
Chambers Bay, which is likely the most high profile course opening in America this year, is set to open in less than three weeks. The Robert Trent Jones II course carries a nearly $21 million price tag - a high price for a government backed golf course.
Early feasibility studies offered conflicting assessments, with one suggesting the course represented a “significant financial risk to Pierce County.” And the cost escalated from about $13.5 million for a 27-hole course to a final $20.7 million for 18 holes.
“It seemed to me like the target was constantly moving, and it was moving upward,” said former County Councilman Kevin Wimsett.
County Council members butted heads with Ladenburg over funding but ultimately approved his plan to borrow the $20.7 million and to pledge golf course, sewer and general fund revenue to repay the debt.
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The company hired to manage the course echoes Ladenburg’s confidence. Kemper-Sports believes Chambers Bay will become a national golf destination, like Bandon Dunes in Oregon or Pebble Beach in California.
The comparisons to Bandon Dunes is Oregon are constant with this course - it’s hoped that the model that made that resort (soon to be a four course destination) a success will roll over to Chambers Bay. That’s a mighty big gamble. They’re close enough geographically to be in competition with one another, but if I had my druthers, I’d go to Bandon for any number of, mostly obvious, reasons. Looking at the photographs, it certainly is an intriguing golf course.
