Deep Meaning Quiz: 2015 U.S. Open Logo Unveiled

Todd Miles reports on the unveiling of the 2015 U.S. Open logo for Chambers Bay and I can't say it has me reaching for my wallet hoping to buy some '15 swag.

In this case, the 2015 U.S. Open logo is very similar to the original Chambers Bay emblem, designed by Tacoma freelance graphic artist Scott Bailey in 2005.

The defining image of Bailey’s design is two sails.

“We ended up with the sails because the course is right next to (Puget Sound),” Bailey said. “It seemed like the most obvious symbol that represents the Northwest in feel but that did not identify something specific.”

I'm not sure sails would have been in my top ten things those two lines represented. In fact, I made a list before reading the story and came up with the following:

- It's two bent legs representing the ideal shape necessary to navigate the Chambers Bay "dunes"

- It's a Machu Picchu symbol for "Be Careful, Robert Trent Jones Jr. Wasn't Thinking Of A U.S. Open When He Built This Place"

- Logo finalist for Phillip Morris rebranding with innocuous new corporate name that I can't recall.

- An homage to the memory wellness ad appearing next to the U.S. Open logo story (see image)

Of course, I'd love to know what you see in this logo...

Comments

[SteveC]

This Open is just going to be a disaster all the way around. It's fitting the logo sucks too.

[johnnnycz]

A pair of Saturn's rings tilted on their side...or perhaps a pair of Nike Swooshes...it's being played in the NW after all.

[ReverendTMac]

That logo is the tits!

[A3]

That is really bad. Seriously can the USGA hire a professional instead of some freelancer from Tacoma? Not that there is anything wrong with freelancers. Is this a logo for a tennis match? A Sailing competition? 20?.....15? why is it separated by 2 breasts? And the typeface looks like Florida, not the northwest.

[chicago pt]

it sucks

good luck to those attending, with only 1 lane for vehicles each way

[RM]

should save that one for US Women's Open.

[JT]

I think the boat and similarity to the memory wellness logo are very apt. The boat is there to symbolize their chances of getting another US Open, that ship has sailed. And the similarity to the memory wellness program is because everyone will be trying to forget 2015.

[Smitty]

A bikini top--of course, I am a total perv . . .

[Larry In Minnesota]

Half of a pair of quotation marks. Fitting, since when the Open is played there you will only be able to print half the quotes from players and fans and media!

[PJ]

Looks like a flying toenail...

[Mike T.]

The designer surely submitted at least a dozen or more preliminary ideas to the committee. I'd like to see what they looked like. BTW, I got the sails, but if that was the best of what was presented, I think the project should have been reassigned.

[Marky Mark]

Until this year, the flags on the pins resembled the "two sails" in the logo.

They looked like diapers tied to the pins. Thankfully, they have normal flags now.

[beagle]

Can't believe they didn't incorporate the lone pine into the logo

[Tommy Naccarato]

I didn't know the US Open Yacht Championships were going to be at Chamber's Bay!?!?!?! How fitting in the same year as the US Open Golf Championship!

There is so much they could have drawn on for a logo for this. More specifically Mt. Tahoma/Mt.Ranier which is a lovely, if not spectacular back drop that literally looms over; guards the city of Tacoma. It along with Mt. Hood and even at one time Mt. St. Helens are some of the most beautiful mountains in the world--the entire Cascades for that matter. There is also the Puget Sound and the famed Tacoma Narrows Bridge which could have been used for inspiration.

Tacoma is a neat town--a hard town, which is enjoying a renaissance of sorts. It deserves better then yacht sails...

[Tommy Naccarato]

Another thing that just struck me is that they could have used the train also for inspiration, maybe a combination of Tahoma/Train/Galloping Gertie? Just a thought...

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

Christina Hendricks: Side view.

[Chene]

The logo could be worse, it could have been a bulb on a stick.

[China Golfer]

I see sails. Sorry, what was I supposed to see? Looks OK to me. There are far worse logos out there ...

[SEATAC]

Looks pretty good to me as well. I'm excited for the open there.

[BenSeattle]

Boys, this one falls in the "not unimportant enough for the Minutiae Department." Really.... we're bitching about a freaking LOGO for a golf tournament nearly four years away? Okay: slow news day. Those of us in the Seattle/Tacoma area are already psyched for what will possibly be the most unique U.S. Open ever. It was only a year ago that Chambers Bay compelled the cream of the crop to rise above all as Peter Uihllein captured the U.S. Amateur.... an event that demanded supreme imagination and control of the golf ball. And nary a worthwhile complaint to be heard. (Except from a few spectators who tumbled down the slick fescue.)

The site is spectacular and the Puget Sound is certain to be filled with sails from the breeze off the water. Either that, or Christina Hendricks is slated to be Tournament Hostess. You got a problem with that?