2015 U.S. Open Employee Photobook

115th U.S. Open June 15 - 21, 2015

Hosted at Pierce County’s Chambers Bay Golf Course

A century-old gravel mine transformed into a championship-worthy course...

Designed to be a champion One of the most notable accomplishments in Pierce County history was the transformation of Chambers Bay from a gravel mine into a world-class golf course. The U.S. Open was an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the beauty and hospitality of Pierce County and the greater Puget Sound region to the world. Our communities hosted thousands of visitors, and tens of millions of people saw spectacular views of our beautiful home.

It was a thrilling week with a tight leaderboard and dramatic lead changes among the game’s top players. The victory by Jordan Spieth, ranked No. 2 in the world, proves Chambers Bay was worthy of the toughest test in golf.

On behalf of Pierce County, I thank the United States Golf Association for selecting Chambers Bay as the site of the first U.S. Open in the Pacific Northwest. Our county-owned golf course sets a great example for the USGA’s goals of sustainable, accessible golf.

I especially offer thanks and appreciation to the Pierce County employees and local, state and federal partners who helped make this a huge success, as well as the championship volunteers, businesses and residents who provided such a warm welcome to our visitors. This book is dedicated to all who helped make this a success.

Pat McCarthy, Pierce County Executive

The Pacific Northwest should be so proud of the job they did supporting this championship... there was just a magical buzz around this championship - Mike Davis, USGA Executive Director

Kick-Off Celebration Sunday June 14, 2015

Years of planning became a reality as the USGA got things started with a Kickoff Celebration that honored our nation’s military on Flag Day. Festivities included special activities for over 300 kids.

Practice Round 1 MONDAY JUNE 15, 2015

FUN for all In addition to championship golf, the fan experience “outside the ropes” included getting their picture taken with the U.S. Open trophy, the Eagle Challenge that offered $1,000 prizes, trying to make the putt that Tiger Woods sank to win the 2008 U.S. Open, and then celebrating the shot in the Tiger Woods “Fist Pump” Photo Booth.

a truly OPEN CONTEST The national championship is open to any golfer – professional or amateur – with a Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4. The USGA accepted 9,882 entries in 2015, the second-highest total in championship history. They played at 113 qualifier sites around the world to whittle the field to 156 players.

“The goal this week is really to enjoy playing one of the greatest golf courses that we play all year- because it’s stunning.”

-Martin Kaymer, 2014 U.S. Champion

Practice Round 2 TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2015

a supportive COMMUNITY “I enjoyed coming to Washington to play a Major Championship event. It was fun to play here. The community helped run a really first-class event, and I wish I had played better.”

-Phil Mickelson, 6-time U.S. Open Runner-Up

On Tuesday, the USGA awarded Barbara Nicklaus (wife of Jack Nicklaus, four-time U.S. Open Champion) with its Bob Jones Award, the organization’s highest honor.

LOCALS in the Field Ryan Moore from Puyallup Troy Kelly from Silverdale Michael Putnam from University Place Richard Lee from Bellevue Cheng-Tsung Pan from the University of Washington

BROWN is the new green Working with the USGA, Chambers Bay sets the industry standard by using less water and fertilizer.

Practice Round 3 WEDNESDAY JUNE 17, 2015

masters of MERCHANDISE The 41,000 square foot Merchandise Pavilion in Spectator Square (plus an 8,000 square foot satellite tent in the North Meadow) offered an estimated 700,000 items for sale, including 100,000 hats.

Seahawks, Husky and Cougar colors were the most popular. The USGA said it sold more merchandise here than any previous U.S. Open.

The Merchandise Pavilion could be seen all throughout the course.

Championship Round 1 THURSDAY JUNE 18, 2015

PAR for the course

Twenty-five players broke par in the first round, the most in an opening round since 29 players broke par in 1992 at Pebble Beach.

Championship Round 2

Copyright J.D. Cuban, USGA

FRIDAY JUNE 19, 2015

Copyright Simon Bruty, USGA

Copyright J.D. Cuban, USGA

Copyright Michael Cohen, USGA

primetime VIEWERSHIP

Copyright Fred Vuich, USGA

A team of nearly 700 people managed the TV production for Fox Sports, its first U.S. Open in a 12-year contract. Sunday’s prime-time coverage averaged 8.7 million viewers, Fox’s largest Sunday night audience since an NFL playoff game in January.

Copyright J.D.Cuban, USGA

Copyright J.D. Cuban, USGA

Championship Round 3 SATURDAY JUNE 20, 2015

minor DISTRACTIONS From the loud rumble of the passanger train to the showstopping roar of a C-17 jet, the 2015 U.S. Open was an unusually loud event for the traditionally silent game of golf.

In addition to the noise distractions, a thick plume of black smoke rose just north of Chambers Bay, providing an ominous backdrop during third-round play. West Pierce firefighters saw it while watching the U.S. Open on TV and showed up without being dispatched to assist the Tacoma Fire Department. There were no injuries, though a boathouse and 30 boats were destroyed.

Final Round SUNDAY JUNE 19, 2015

champion with LOCAL TIES

Jordan Spieth’s 1-shot victory had a great local angle – his caddie, Michael Greller, was a caddie at Chambers Bay when it opened in 2007 and he quit his teaching job at nearby Narrows View Intermediate School to become Spieth’s full-time caddie. The volunteer who was assigned as the standard bearer for Spieth’s group on Sunday was also a local. Anthony Parr, son of Public Works civil engineer Jane Vandenberg, is in the photo below holding the trophy with the champion.

Behind The Scenes:

Pierce County Pride

We were successful thanks to the hard work of staff in many Pierce County departments, including Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Communications, Economic Development, Budget and Finance, Sheriff ’s Department, Emergency Management, Information Technology, Government Relations, the Office of the County Executive, and the County Council.

Behind The Scenes:

Pierce County Television

USGA Championship Director Danny Sink says this was the most documented U.S. Open in history, thanks to the PCTV crew. They produced more than 70 videos about the championship in the three years leading up to it. The crew created 8 hours of videos.

Behind The Scenes:

Food & Fan Experience

Providing food services to thousands of people – players, volunteers, hospitality guests and media – is a monumental task for the USGA’s caterer. Ridgewells Catering hired hundreds of local people and ordered food and beverages from companies throughout the state.

Behind The Scenes:

Army of Volunteers

Behind The Scenes:

Course Maintenance & Set Up

The KemperSports maintenance crew at Chambers Bay got lots of help from course superintendents around the nation, including staff from Pierce County’s Lake Spanaway and Fort Steilacoom golf courses.

Behind The Scenes:

Public Safety

regional PARTNERSHIP The Office of County Executive and the Pierce County Sheriff ’s Department collaborated on a plan that included partnerships with 37 local, state and federal public safety agencies. Even with 45,000 or so people on-site each day, there were no major incidents, which is the result of thorough planning.

Photography Ingrid Barrentine of Grit City Photo, Kyle Schmidtke, Pierce County staff and the USGA. Produced by Kyle Schmidtke, Amanda Williams and Hunter George -- Pierce County Department of Communications

Office of the County Executive

Office of the County Executive