Q&A on the News
Q: Knowing the conditions of Chambers Bay, the golf course where the U.S. Open was held, why did the USGA select it as an U.S. Open venue?
—Carolyn Dailey, Bowden
A: Chambers Bay, a golf course south of Seattle, was built with the goal of hosting the U.S. Open, which was realized when Winged Foot Golf Club, in Mamaroneck, N.Y., withdrew it's bid to host this year's tournament.
The USGA had input in the course’s construction and there had been a desire to hold the U.S. Open in the Pacific Northwest.
USGA executive director Mike Davis warned golfers in April that the links course would be tough, but they complained about the conditions of the greens and course and the nearby trains during last month’s U.S. Open.
Golfer Billy Horschel said he “lost some respect for the USGA and this championship this year for the greens.”
The fans complained about poor sightlines and the inability to move around the course.
The area on Puget Sound had several uses through the years, including a paper mill, a railroad hub and a sand and gravel mine, before it was transformed into a golf course.
Q: How many miles has President Barack Obama flown on Air Force One?
—Dorothy Wills, Lawrenceville
A: Obama had flown 1.1 million miles on Air Force One through May 4, ABC News Chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl tweeted.
He had spent 2,364 hours in the air through that date, equal to “98 days on the plane!” Karl wrote.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
