Publisher’s Pitch

BY DICK STEPHENS

The 2015 U.S. Open week was one I will never forget 

When I look back 10 years ago on the emotions, memories and coverage of the 115th U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, only Charles Dickens and his opening salvo in A Tale of Two Cities can aptly express what that experience truly was for me: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

I hate nothing more than to be a wet blanket — it’s not my style — so more on the “worst of times” in a moment.

The “best of times” part is easy. Reporting live at the U.S. Open was a dream realized. Cascade Golfer covered Chambers Bay, the USGA’s decisions, U.S. Amateur, countless Pierce County actions, meetings with Robert Trent Jones II, unveiling his intimate visions for the land and all news leading up to the start of the Championship — we missed nothing. In fact, we were there when the first shovel went into the sand quarry in University Place and were one of the first foursomes ever allowed to play the course — CG is OG, man. 

When the Open finally arrived, it was like walking into Yankee Stadium every morning with our backpacks, laptops and cameras.

The USGA Media Center was impressive and perfectly joined the players and journalists seamlessly. Sure, there was controversy with the brown, firm conditions that presented Chambers Bay more like Carnoustie than the lush links this Northwest jewel truly is. Do I wish Chambers was greener that week? Sure, I do — but I’m not going there. I embraced it.

The world’s best slugged it out right up to the final putt. The Jones II design, Puget Sound fans, electric vibe and hot weather produced an Open for the ages and arguably the most pressure packed 72nd hole ever — I know as was in the photo pit on the 18th green with my daughter Lily watching and hearing the player’s stress and drama. The massive grandstand erected there gave rise to one the largest crowds to ever witness a U.S. Open final, where Dustin Johnson’s failed closing putt wobbled past the hole, which could have crowned him as the victor and one of the all-time closers. 

The unique Chambers ecosystem did, however, cement a 21-year-old Jordan Spieth’s legacy as he crushed his 3-wood 12 minutes earlier from one million yards away on the 18th fairway, just a few paces from the pin. The young Texan put the heat on Johnson (and Jason Day) and set up his second major title of the year after winning a green jacket two months prior at Augusta. Surely, he wouldn’t change a thing about Chambers that week.

The place went nuts and the Seattle-area showed the world — just as it did at Sahalee during the 2008 PGA Championship — that WE can deliver a Major. You couldn’t have written a better script with 10 guys all having a shot at winning in the last hour of the Open.

The media circus after, the interviews, and publishing live there with our then-editor Brian Beaky — “it was the best of times.”

As for the “worst of times” — my dad Gary, 73, passed away the Wednesday of that week after a long battle with prostate cancer. He taught me the game and bled it into me. He died peacefully at home — the USGA FOX broadcast airing in the background — as my mom Siv, brother Spencer, sister Heidi and I watched him leave this world and enter the next. It was his time and an indelible memory.

Of course, this was with me all week. But I kept a promise I made to my three kids and myself that I was going to share the U.S. Open with each of them individually. The USGA was aware of what I was going through and went out of their way in allowing me to have my sons Simon and Fletcher, and daughter Lily, with me inside the ropes — each of them having their own experience and day covering the U.S. Open with dad. On top of that, it was Simon’s 15th birthday that week and of course Father’s Day, too. It was crazy emotional.

So, “the worst of times” were a wound salved by my dad’s spirit and sharing all this with my family — we will never forget it. Now forgive me as I transpose the famous Dickens line he opened his “Tale” with so I may close out mine.

It was the worst of times, it was the best of times. Look, I got to flip the script — what a blessing.

Enjoy Bob Sherwin’s and Tony Dear’s 10th anniversary U.S. Open commemorations in this issue and, AS ALWAYS, TAKE IT EASY. 

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