Sometimes as designers we want people to think we didn't have to do much, especially when we did. At times we should be proud of the amount of creativity that was required to build something really outstanding.
In between working for John Harbottle III and moving on to David Kidd's team, I was the assistant superintendent of construction at Chambers Bay. Working for contractor I had no creative involvement in the project, but know every inch of that place and the site had a number of challenges that aren't often discussed. I grew up nearby, and can't wait to see the tournament next summer. I think it will be spectacular, and feel fortunate to have been involved.
The site was heavily earthworked and entirely created. There were number of significant cut and fills, including 300,000 yards of sand were excavated and screened for capping. The only "natural" features were the 6th fairway and green site, 10 green site, 11, 12. The portion of the site where most of the course, except for 12,13,14, was essentially mined out prior to construction and the holes in the bottom of the course 2,3, part of 4, 5, 16, 17 and 18 were mostly barren gravel with some sand. Those areas were extremely soft and susceptible to liquefaction. There is a large under-drain system under this portion of the course, and excavators had to operate from floating pads at times to complete the work.
As for the imported material; the only soil that was imported was USGA rootzone and the gravel blanket to construct the greens and it came from 30 miles SE of the project. Everything else was found on site, including the rock used for the under-drains. The sand that was excavated, screened and used to cap the site came from what are holes 13,14,the second half of #4. The excavation that was made to build the 10th fairway cutting through the giant "dune" to expose the 10th green required the largest excavator I have ever seen on a golf project. The 'Dune" was comprised of the tailings from past gravel and sand washing operations and was extremely fine in particle size. This material was used to build a number of the dune features between holes. Jay and I got stuck once in the fairway playing dirt golf about 50yards short of the green after the hole had been shaped. We drove up to the green, parked, and when we sat back in the truck and closed the doors it sank all the way to the undercarriage and had to be pulled out with a dozer.
The net cut/fill number was in the range of 1.5 million, but the actual volume moved when the sand screening and capping operation is included is closer to 2 million.
If I remember correctly the remaining part of the site is fairly flat and consists of a series of different decks. How much earthwork is required depends on the plan for the course.
The hotel development for the course has been a long term goal, and it is great to finally see someone is on board. Will the hotel turn Chambers Bay into a golf destination all by itself? I doubt it, but another golf course will certainly help.