Best Of The Bunch


December 5, 2008

The 11th hole at Chambers Bay occupies areas that were once sedimentation ponds during mining operations. (Courtesy Chambers Bay)

Two future sites for USGA championships were recognized by Golf Digest in its annual America's Best New Courses edition . The Old Course at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethelem, Pa., host of next year's U.S. Women's Open, was honored with the magazine's Best Remodel award .

According to a story that appeared in the Allentown Morning Call , during a recent site visit, Mike Davis, the USGA's senior director of rules and competitions, said the renovation strengthened what he called an "already strong" course.

"It definitely came out better than I thought it would," Davis said. "I thought it would be a very positive thing, but the look to the bunkering is quite good, and strategically it's much better."

Site of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open, Chambers Bay of suburban Tacoma, Wash., was named America's Best New Public Course of 2008 . Wrote Golf Digest's Ron Whitten: "Unlike Sand Hills or Bandon Dunes or Whistling Straits, whose rugged links-land beauty and character unfold gradually as golfers turn a corner or crest a hill, Chambers Bay explodes at first glimpse from this perch."

To read the complete story about Saucon Valley, from the Morning Call, click here .

To read the complete story about Chambers Bay, from the USGA, click here.