Visitors can step off the midway and into golf history in a new exhibit at the Washington State Fair that celebrates the preparation for the U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay.

The exhibit, titled “Designed to be a Champion,” shares stories and photographs from two books that chronicle historic moments in the Championship’s history as well as the making of Chambers Bay. The exhibit also features select 2015 U.S. Open merchandise for sale.

The 3,000-square-foot exhibit, sponsored by Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, occupies most of the Fair Museum Building, located just south of the Blue Gate. It will be open during regular Fair hours from Sept. 5-21.

“This Washington State Fair exhibit will showcase the incredible opportunities our region has as it hosts one of the top sporting events in the world,” said Executive McCarthy, who is overseeing local government support for the Championship at the county-owned golf course. “Visitors will see how Pierce County transformed a gravel pit into a park and golf course worthy of our National Championship. And they will learn about champions from the past and relive memories of exciting U.S. Open Championships in recent times. I encourage Fair patrons to stop by and learn more about the significance of hosting the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.”

The exhibit features material from two books:

”Great Moments of the U.S. Open,” published in 2013 by the United States Golf Association, which conducts the National Championship.

“America’s St. Andrews,” written by Blaine Newnham in partnership with the Washington State Golf Association. Visitors to the exhibit can buy the book before it is released to the public on Oct. 1. Newnham will sign books at the exhibit on Sept. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The USGA will conduct the U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay from June 15-21, 2015. It will be the first time the Championship has been held in the Pacific Northwest in its 115-year history. A limited number of tickets are still available. More information is available at www.usga.org and www.chambersbaygolf.com.

The Washington State Fair is one of the biggest fairs in the world, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest. It welcomes over one million guests. Star-studded entertainment, the PRCA Rodeo, rides, exhibits, food, flowers and animals are mainstays of the 17-day event. More information is available at www.thefair.com.