OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee leaped to the defense of Chambers Bay Golf Course today, with a sarcastic jab at pro golfer Ian Poulter's comment that playing the U.S. Open there will be a "farce."

"This slander will not stand," Inslee declared, tongue in cheek.

The comments were so out of bounds, Inslee said, he was assessing a two-stroke penalty to "someone who wears purple-check pants who's never played the course."

Chambers Bay, which is outside of Tacoma overlooking the Puget Sound, will be the site of the U.S. Open next month. Another pro, Ryan Palmer, played the course this week and criticized it in USA Today. Poulter had previously tweeted the farce comment.

Poulter has his name on a line of golf clothing which does, in fact, include purple check -- or perhaps more accurately purple plaid -- pants. We're guessing Inslee doesn't want any as a Father's Day gift.

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