GCA Outing: Can you break a 100 on a US Open course?

[Richard Choi]

Be forewarned, it WILL be a slog...

For PNW GCA'ers, Chambers Bay is hosting a Men's Club event on June 23rd (Sun), where you get to play the course under the same conditions as they plan for the US Open in '15. The rough will be high, fairways will be tight, and tees will be so far from the fairway that you will need a GPS just to tell you where to hit (I expect 7600 yards). I would be happy just to break a hundred.

This is not something most of us get to experience everyday.

I will be happy to host a group and if there is enough interest, I can try to get a another group or two. Please let me know if you are interested.

[David Ober]

In!!!

Don't know how I'll get there, but IN!!!!

Can I sleep on someone's porch?!?!

Be forewarned, it WILL be a slog...

For PNW GCA'ers, Chambers Bay is hosting a Men's Club event on June 23rd (Sun), where you get to play the course under the same conditions as they plan for the US Open in '15. The rough will be high, fairways will be tight, and tees will be so far from the fairway that you will need a GPS just to tell you where to hit (I expect 7600 yards). I would be happy just to break a hundred.

This is not something most of us get to experience everyday.

I will be happy to host a group and if there is enough interest, I can try to get a another group or two. Please let me know if you are interested.

[John McCarthy]

No way.  A few years ago I played from about that distance on a course that jacked the greens up into the US Open speed.  After my third four putt I decided that I made a mistake. 

Have fun. 

[Will MacEwen]

Rich,

Interested.  Great idea.

[Jason Topp]

I did this at Hazeltine the year before the PGA in 2008.  It gives you newfound respect for tour pros. 

The length and the green speed/firmness did not surprise me all that much.  Playing from the rough, however, was impossible.   

[Pete_Pittock]

I only carry it 185. Will that be a problem?

[John Crowley]

I played TP South just before 2008 U.S. Open (not all way back) ditto on impossible rough.

[Richard Choi]

I only carry it 185. Will that be a problem?

Not if you are okay with hitting out of sand.

The only holes you may have some problems are #9, #14...

[Pete_Pittock]

Green speed?  I've only played it stimping at 6.

[Richard Choi]

My guess is they will probably get it to around 8 or 9. I don't think they dare to go any higher.

[Garland Bayley]

It's tempting to see if it would bring Rich's score back towards mine, or if mine would explode. The fairways will be tight is the unappealing aspect. Maybe if I cut a hole in a pocket that I can drop balls down a pant leg from .................................
 

[Stephen Davis]

It's tempting to see if it would bring Rich's score back towards mine, or if mine would explode. The fairways will be tight is the unappealing aspect. Maybe if I cut a hole in a pocket that I can drop balls down a pant leg from .................................
 

Or you could just buy these pants. Hole already included.

The Travis Mathew Men's Slub Pants are fashioned after traditional slacks for an exceptional look, and the fabric blend of these pants will keep you comfortable with its soft hand and stretch characteristics. These pants feature a custom "Ball-Drop" front pocket for all of the cheaters out there so that you can drop your ball down a pant leg. But seeing your game is already awesome, you may not need it.

http://www.edwinwattsgolf.com/travis-mathew-slub-pant/10039152/product

But seriously, this make me wish I still lived in Oregon. I would come up for sure. In fact, I still may. I love Chambers Bay and it would be very cool to see/play it under Open conditions.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Rich,
Sounds like a lot of fun.
Let me see how knee surgery goes next Friday and what the surgeon suggest is the rehab time..but sounds very appealing
Thanks for the invite

[Richard Choi]

It's tempting to see if it would bring Rich's score back towards mine, or if mine would explode.

Without a doubt, your score will explode...

MWP, will be awesome to have you up here. We will make it a full weekend for sure.

[Garland Bayley]

It's tempting to see if it would bring Rich's score back towards mine, or if mine would explode.

Without a doubt, your score will explode...

MWP, will be awesome to have you up here. We will make it a full weekend for sure.

My score always explodes. I'm talking relative explosions to yours.

You have made a pretty strong prediction from someone that has to have guys like Bob and I carry you at KP!

[Richard Choi]

My score always explodes. I'm talking relative explosions to yours.

No, that is what I meant. I would be shocked if you break 120!!!

[Garland Bayley]

My score always explodes. I'm talking relative explosions to yours.

No, that is what I meant. I would be shocked if you break 120!!!

If I'm short on sleep, maybe I'll come up. There would have to be a lot of nap time while these mens clubbers are out there playing the US Open setup.

[Ted Harris]

Are the greens in better shape this year at Chambers ? I played there mid June last year and approx. 3/4 greens had large areas with bare dirt and another 2-3 greens had new turf cut into the greens that was roped off and out of play !!!!!

[ChipOat]

You might do it under U.S. Open conditions in a friendly game.  But if it was for real?  No chance.

[Kyle Henderson]

Pitching out sideways after slightly errant drives? 7-hour rounds?

At least the company will be good...

[cary lichtenstein]

I played Oakmont just once, and as a solid 4, it ate my lunch.

[Matthew Essig]

Are the greens in better shape this year at Chambers ? I played there mid June last year and approx. 3/4 greens had large areas with bare dirt and another 2-3 greens had new turf cut into the greens that was roped off and out of play !!!!!

Were not bad a couple weeks ago.

[Ben Sims]

Played there today on a beautiful spring-ish afternoon.  The course was in solid shape for it being March in the northwest.  The greens rolled true with 7 noticeably shaggier than others.

I'm in Rich.

[V. Kmetz]

I was able to play Winged Foot the day after the 06 US Open, (thank god Phil doubled out of playoff, or else we were sunk) with every pin the same as Sunday (except 6) and every tee the same (except 3).  This was the last year I was playing well and/or often and my number was 91:

6-6-5-6-6-4-2-4-5-4-4-7-4-6-6-5-5-6

44/47 = 91

Conditions were F&F, greens were mid-lo 9s (hadn't been pushed past 11.5 all week) and most surprising condition was rough.  It was heinous, the worst thing being that you could hardly take your medicine...you grabbed a sand wedge, go to hack it out sideways (nearly) and the ball would shoot wildly straight across into the opposite rough; that was crazy.  When you walked in it, your feet and legs were noticeably tired.

cheers

vk

[Adam Clayman]

My guess is they will probably get it to around 8 or 9. I don't think they dare to go any higher.

Richard, They should be trying to mimic the stress of Open conditions. 8 or 9 sounds way too slow. With only two years to go, each June will be a learning experience.