"That's not my idea of sustainability in golf."

Dottie Pepper did not leave Chambers Bay a fan, writing in her SI column that while the course is "big on ideas, it's not quite ready for prime time." Her reasoning:

• The sandy soil dried out last week, and the course got out of control. The Open will be played in the softer conditions of June, but managing the firmness will be a challenge.

• The extreme slopes around the greens make the penalty for hitting a poor shot greater than the reward for hitting a good one. The Open should identify a golfer's skill, not his luck.

• A true links doesn't have elevation changes like those at the par-3 9th or 15th. More important, the slick, dry rough and steep slopes are a dangerous combination for galleries.

• It's a terrific site for match play, where making a huge number means losing only one hole, but attempting to shoot a 72-hole score on such an extreme course could get ugly. I saw more four-putts than I thought possible from the world's top amateurs.

• With so many holes playing so many different ways, practice rounds become a guessing game, and play approaches six hours. That's not my idea of sustainability in golf.

Now this last point about practice rounds is one you hear a lot from high-level golfers. Many believe that you should be told and able to practice every possible course setup scenario. I'm not sure I agree or understand that mentality since varying setups isn't any different than major changes in wind direction that can't be prepared for. But that's me.