Meeting Bethpage…

By Aaron M Smith

I am sure everyone by now  has been reading and hearing the headlines, ” Tiger takes on Bethpage” or “The U.S. Open returns to Bethpage Black”. The course almost sounds like a rare form of plague  – “Have you heard about Johnny ? He has the Bethpage Black…..”  Something just doesn’t sound right.

The fact is on June 18th, the best golfers will descend on the state-owned golf course in Farmingdale, NY to play in the 109th U.S. Open and take their best shot at winning a major. But to do it- they will have to conquer Bethpage Black.  Bethpage is the only public course that has ever seen the U.S. Open. The return of the U.S Open to Bethpage, will mark the second time  in less then 10 years that the U.S. Open has been hosted by the public course.  Obviously, the USGA has found something they like , as only one player in the  2002 U.S Open finished under par for the  tournament  – Tiger Woods.

Before we go any further – let’s take a look at the history of Bethpage State Park.  The land the park is built on, was  originally owned by Benjamin Yoakum -a raliroad tycoon in the early 1900’s. Initially a private course was built on part of Yoakum’s property – Lenox Hills Country Club. But Yoakum’s death in 1930 and subsequent Great Depression lead to the creation of the Bethpage State Park Authority by then State Parks Commissioner – Robert Moses. The result  – 3 golf courses  –  Red Course, Blue Course and Green course were introduced to the public in 1935. In later years  – the Yellow course and the famed Black Course (1935) were introduced to give the park a total of 5 operational golf courses.  All 5 courses continue to be State-owned and available to the general public.

But it is the Black Course that has received all of the fame and recognition.  In 2002 Bethpage Black played at 7,214 yards and a par-70. At that point, Bethpage was the longest golf course in U.S. Open history, only to be beaten by Torrey Pine  last year.  What will make the task of conquering Bethpage Black that much more daunting  is the USGA’s approach to the rough in the U.S. Open.

If the Masters is about the greens and the British Open is about the weather ( see the definition of wind in the dictionary)  – the U.S. Open is about thick and nasty rough. The type of rough that penalizes golfers for not being accurate of the tee.  The U.S. Open uses a 2-tier approach to the rough. The first cut of the rough – called the Primary Rough will measure approxiametly between 2 1/2 to 3 inches deep. The second cut of the rough wil measure around 4 to 6 inches.  Any shot hit out of the second cut of rough is almost certain to compromise golfers ability to get distance with their second shots as well as control the spin and trajectory of those same approach shot. That control is vital to golfers shooting a low score in any round of golf.  Throw in the fact that this is one of the longest courses  in U.S Open history – and there is very little room for error.

This year, 9,086 golfers applied to play in the 2009 U.S. Open – the most ever. The amount of entries is certainly a testament to the growing popularity of golf throughout the world, but also the drawing power of Bethpage Black. Of that 9,086 golfers, only 156  will play in this year’s Open.  The beauty of Bethpage State Park is that it remains open to all golfers – including the infamous Black course.  Costs are reasonable and the challenge while high – is rewarding. Personally, I hope to make the trip some day to play at Bethpage  – I am just waiting for them to cut the rough.

Next week: We will breakdown the contenders heading into the 2009 u.S. Open