Bethpage Black.

[backwoodsman]

Just finished reading John Feinstein's book on the staging of the 2002 US Open at Bethpage Black course - the first time their open was staged at a public course - a muni if you like. A good read if you're interested. Just wondered if anyone had been over there and played it. Either before or after the US Open was played. (They also had it there 2009)

 

[Blue in Munich]

Played it in 2009, fantastic course; really opens your eyes as to just how good the pros are and just how far they hit the ball. didn't realise there was a book about the 2002 US Open, I'll have to look that one up.

 

[backwoodsman]

Played it in 2009, fantastic course; really opens your eyes as to just how good the pros are and just how far they hit the ball. didn't realise there was a book about the 2002 US Open, I'll have to look that one up.

It's called "Open: Inside the ropes at Bethpage Black" by John Feinstein. Covers the whole story from when USGA first had the idea of staging it at the (supposedly) best muni in the US through to Tiger winning it.

Am surprised the local residents can still play it for 65 dollars (even if non locals have to pay somewhat more)

 

[DAVEYBOY]

I remeber seeing a clip about bethpage black on Sky Sports news and people where sleeping in there cars overnight to get to the front of the que for a tee time the following day.

 

[backwoodsman]

I remeber seeing a clip about bethpage black on Sky Sports news and people where sleeping in there cars overnight to get to the front of the que for a tee time the following day.

The book made several referen to people sleeping in cars to get tee times (a bit like Beckenham Place Park used to be in south London -although I dare say there is a difference in quality!!). Don't know if that is still the case though.

 

[Blue in Munich]

The book made several referen to people sleeping in cars to get tee times (a bit like Beckenham Place Park used to be in south London -although I dare say there is a difference in quality!!). Don't know if that is still the case though.

Having played both there is no comparison! The green fee when I played was $100, the FDNY guy I played with who was a local resident paid $50. The first hour is reserved for walk ups, hence the sleepovers to gain position. Then 1 time per hour was kept for walk ups. I left the hotel at 4am, walked to Penn station, got a train to Farmingdale (I think) just after 5am, cab from there, booked in at 6.25am to get a 10 something tee time. There is also a booking system but the times didn't work with the rest of the holiday.

 

[drs1878]

Played it on the flight scope similar but I don't suppose that counts.........

Looked a lovely course, very long hitting driver, 3wood, wedge on most of par 4's!!!

 

[Blue in Munich]

I remember playing a 5 on each par 3; one 5 iron, three 5 woods!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

It's one I've always wanted to play since reading that book, just to see how tough it really is.

 

[dewsweeper]

The book made several referen to people sleeping in cars to get tee times (a bit like Beckenham Place Park used to be in south London -although I dare say there is a difference in quality!!). Don't know if that is still the case though.

Beckenham Place Park takes me back to the late sixties,played there a lot.Also Addington Court,one of the nicest public courses I have played.
Good memories of my early golf.
John Fensteins book is an excellent read,just like all his golf books.
Dewsweeper

 

[Blue in Munich]

It's one I've always wanted to play since reading that book, just to see how tough it really is.

if you remember the fuss about Carnoustie in 1999 with the rough, I played that 5 days after the Open and they were as tough as each other, certainly the 2 toughest I've ever played.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Beckenham Place Park takes me back to the late sixties,played there a lot.Also Addington Court,one of the nicest public courses I have played.
Good memories of my early golf.
John Fensteins book is an excellent read,just like all his golf books.
Dewsweeper

Two of the courses I used to play when I started, Addington Court was a cracker for a public course. You from round that way Dewsweeper?