Go Play: America’s Spectacular Northwest

U.S. Open Spotlights Washington’s Beauty

Chris Duthie

Chambers Bay photo credit: Martin Miller

Washington was coined the Evergreen State for good reason. Verdant rain forests, snow-capped mountains, windswept shorelines and fruit-laden hillsides paint the state with a Kodacolor palette- making it ideal for BFF getaways, whole-family vacations and exploring one of America’s more vibrant destinations.

At the top of Washington’s must-experience list this summer is our nation’s championship, the U.S. Open, set for June 15 near Tacoma on the ball-snaring dunes of public Chambers Bay. Arguably golf’s most coveted title, 2015’s second major comes to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in its 115-year history, delivering with it a heady example of what makes Washington so astonishingly succulent. Here are five more reasons to go now:

1. The Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed Chambers Bay Golf Club (pictured above) is plenty enough motivation to pack the clubs, but so is Gamble Sands in Brewster, another brilliant David McLay Kidd orchestration that was named 2014’s “Best New U.S. Course You Can Play” by Golf magazine.

2. Tacoma is little more than 35 miles from booming Seattle and its myriad Puget Sound enticements. Two don’t-miss events include the two-month-long Seattle Seafair (June 10-Aug. 16) for legendary parades, fireworks, triathlons, hydroplane races and air shows. As well as the sun-splashed Fremont Solstice Fair (June 19-21) and its risqué bike parade, live concerts, craft markets, beer gardens, “art car” shows and more.

3. From the Tri Cities to the Walla Walla and Yakima valleys, Washington’s wine country now lists 240 delectable wineries and a frothy selection of microbreweries. For a total-soak, food-and-spirits immersion, attend the Yakima Blues and Local Brews Bash (June 12-13) and the A Case of the Blues and All That Jazz, also in Yakima (Aug. 15, pictured below).

Photo credit: Cody Beebe c/o Digital Vendetta Productions

Photo credit: Cody Beebe c/o Digital Vendetta Productions

4. Exemplary golf properties are plentiful in Washington. Two of the finest are seaside Semiamoo Resort in Blaine, which just completed a multi-million-dollar restoration and remodeling to the hotel’s historic facilities; and new Salish Cliffs Golf Club in Shelton, which offers Gene Bates-designed golf, gaming and stay-and-play lodging at Little Creek Casino Resort.

5. Located in Everett 25 miles north of Seattle, the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour is the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America. For an even more uplifting experience, ride the Mount Rainier Gondola at Crystal Mountain for the best views of Rainier, St. Helens, Adams and Baker mountains.

RELATED LINKS

Pacific Northwest Passage

A No-Risk Gamble on the Columbia River

Napa of the Northwest

Go Play: South Coast Oregon

Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.