March 3, 2014
By Robert J. Vasilak
At Chambers Bay, will two Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed courses be better than one?
Bob Sonnenblick thinks so. The Los Angeles-based developer has proposed to build a clubhouse, a 220-room hotel, a conference center and a complementary 18-hole track at the municipal venue outside Tacoma, Washington. Unlike Chambers Bay’s existing course, Jones’ second track will welcome carts.
Sonnenblick has until mid June to line up financing, an issue that he doesn’t believe will be a problem. “There’s a lot of money around today for well-conceived, well-located, first-class projects,” he told the Tacoma News Tribune.
If Sonnenblick gets all his ducks in line, construction could begin next summer, after the U.S. Open is contested at the facility.