For the Mirror

One of the biggest golf tournaments in the world is coming to the Puget Sound. Now, fans just have to wait seven years for it to actually take place.

The United States Golf Association announced Friday that it has awarded the 2015 U.S. Open Championship to Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place. The USGA also announced that Chambers Bay, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., will play host to the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2010.

Chambers Bay will be the third municipal course to play host to the U.S. Open, following Bethpage Black in New York (2002, 2009) and Torrey Pines in California later this year. Chambers Bay will be the first golf course in the Pacific Northwest to host the U.S. Open.

“We are excited to take the U.S. Open Championship and the U.S. Amateur to such an awesome site,” said Jim Hyler, chairman of the USGA Championship Committee. “This is the first time the U.S. Open has been to Washington and we are confident that the golf course will provide a challenging test for the best players in the world, as well as a great spectator experience for those who attend the event and watch it online and on television.”

Chambers Bay is the centerpiece of a 930-acre park purchased by Pierce County in 1992. Today the former sand and gravel quarry features scenic trails and coastline vistas.

“Our hard work has paid off as we have done everything possible to attract the attention of a prestigious championship,” said Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg. “Even so, we never dreamed we’d be chosen by the USGA to host both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open championships. Especially not so close to the opening of the course. It is a true honor.”

Sports editor Casey Olson: 925-5565, sports@fedwaymirror.com