THE FRONT ROW WITH MARK NELKE: Sunday, June 14, 2015

A handful of local golf pros have played Chambers Bay, the 8-year-old links-style course just outside Seattle, which is hosting the 115th U.S. Open running Thursday through Sunday. It's the first time the U.S. Open has come to the Pacific Northwest.

We polled a few of them to get their thoughts on the layout, and how the tour pros might react to a course being used to decided our national championship that is not your typical "keep it straight, or have to gouge it out of the rough and hope to save par" U.S. Open layout.

Those participating are Andy Mackimmie, head professional at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Course; Tom Davidson, director of golf at Circling Raven; and Mark Nelson, assistant pro at Circling Raven.

"Personally, I'm excited to see a major golf championship return to the Pacific Northwest," Mackimmie said. "I've been looking forward to this since they announced the Chambers Bay venue many years ago. It should be fun tournament to watch the drama unfold and be a great showcase sporting event for the Northwest."

"It's by far the most talked-about, controversial U.S. Open in years, so it's neat in that respect," Nelson said.

Many golf fans from this area are heading over to western Washington this week to watch the world's best golfers because, well, when are they ever going to be this close to here in the future?

"Hopefully again, but after this year, I don't know, there may be some mixed reviews," Nelson said.

What do you think of Chambers Bay, and what are the keys to playing it well?

Mackimmie: Chambers Bay is an extremely unique links-style layout, one of the only courses I've seen where you can essentially see all 18 holes from the clubhouse. Some are calling it the "British U.S. Open." It's carved out of the natural slopes of an old quarry pit with large elevation changes and massive sand dunes throughout the course. These elevation changes are deceptive and challenging to judge. The keys to playing the course are knowing where to hit it for positioning and adjusting club selection to the elevation changes. If you come up short on an approach, the course can be unfriendly on several holes. Thinking you hit a perfect shot and having it come up 15 yards short, to watch the ball roll 60 yards back toward you is not a pleasant sight.

Davidson: The course is very unique. I love the setting and the substantial elevation changes you experience while navigating the course. The green complexes are the most undulated than any I have ever played. I believe the key factor in playing the course well is putting with patience and knowing the best places to place an approach shot to give yourself a chance at birdie, or an easy two-putt.

Nelson: I thought it was spectacular. The layout and the views and vantages are just incredible - not much blind, everything is right out there in front of you. It's probably the only course that I've hit every fairway and still shot in the 80s. There's plenty of places you can land it off the tee; the real challenge is definitely the green complexes, and if you miss the green, getting up and down was by far the most challenging of all.

That's what's going to make it so different (from other U.S. Open courses); it's not about the rough, as normal U.S. Opens are. It's going to be, in my opinion, who's the most creative around the greens, because you can't just hit your normal lob wedge and drop and stop - you're going to sometimes aim 30 yards left just to try to get it anywhere close to the flag.

What will the touring pros enjoy about the course?

Mackimmie: I think they will appreciate the shot value placed on fairway placement and most importantly, approach shots. The greens and fairways are large and undulating which will place a premium on playing approach shots to the right spots and putting. There are holes that look straight forward, but can leave you in trouble if the ball runs through the fairway to tough, deep fescue lies.

Davidson: I think they will like that the course is right there in front of you without any tricks or hidden surprises.

Nelson: I think they'll enjoy the creative shotmaking that's required to score there. It's not your normal Winged Foot or Torrey Pines; it's definitely more British Open-style than anything else I've seen.

Players griping about tough U.S. Open setups is about as old as the U.S. Open itself. What might draw their ire at Chambers Bay, especially if they haven't put the requisite time in on the course beforehand?

Mackimmie: As is typical with the U.S. Open you will have some rave about the new venue and others will complain. Tour pros tend to be more vocal with their opinions on the USGA course setup than with other majors. The most common complaints usually revolve around pin placements and the firmness of the greens. The USGA does not want to see the leaders get into the double digits under par and they have a history of pushing the boundaries of a challenging setup while maintaining a fair competition.

Davidson: It will be interesting to hear the players' comments about the green complexes. Some are so severe that I cannot imagine the green speeds will be like a typical U.S. Open.

Nelson: It's going to be the greens. In my experience, the tee shots were pretty straightforward, but the greens, whatever the fescue, is hard to read, and the locations, because the greens are so big. They're definitely different than anything I've seen in the Pacific Northwest, or even anywhere on the West Coast. They've got huge mounding, a lot of swales, just radical greens.

What type of player does this course favor?

Mackimmie: Most of the fairways at Chambers Bay are large and expansive. Like any championship venue, there are still many strategic areas on the fairways to play to in order to have the right angles into a variety of challenging pin placements. I wouldn't go out on a limb with any first-time winners with this venue. This course will favor the top players in the world with championship experience on links-style courses. Rory McIlroy is the odds-on favorite and he's playing well right now. Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day would be no surprise either. I would be mildly surprised if an American comes out on top. Masters champion Jordan Spieth has putted extremely well this season. If he can keep it up, he's probably the best hope for an American. Even without much experience, he's proven he can handle the pressure of a major. Jordan is not long off the tee, but fairly accurate. I don't see extra length off the tee being a major advantage at Chambers Bay. I would never count out Phil Mickelson or Dustin Johnson if they gain confidence and momentum with the putter.

Davidson: Fairways and greens will be a key at Chambers Bay. Approach shots will need to be very precise to allow chances at birdies and avoid situations where an up and down is almost impossible. The course is very new to the majority of the players so it is very difficult to pick a favorite, other than someone in the top 10 that has shown good form as of late. The newness of the course could also favor someone unexpected whose game suits the layout.

Nelson: I would think the Europeans have got a little advantage, honestly, just because they grew up on it (links-style courses), and if you get any weather, that just makes it more challenging. It definitely favors the long hitter and the great putter. (As for favorites,) you've got Rory (McIlroy), and (Martin) Kaymer, European-wise. United States-wise, I like Bubba (Watson), because he's the most creative Tour player I've ever seen. And I'd love to see Phil (Mickelson); he's creative around the greens too.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.