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Bethpage Black
Architect: AW Tillinghast 1936 99 Quaker Meeting House Rd, Farmingdale, NY 11735 Phone: (516) 249-0700 Course Access: Public https://parks.ny.gov/golf-courses/11/details.aspx |
Bethpage State Park (Black Course)
Historical Overview of Bethpage State Park Black Golf Course
Origins and Early Development:
Bethpage State Park, located in Farmingdale, New York, was developed from land originally owned by the Yoakum family. In the early 1930s, the Bethpage Park Authority purchased the land, including the existing Lenox Hills Country Club, with the goal of creating a public park. The park's golf facilities were envisioned to be a public counterpart to the elite private clubs of the time. Famed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast was commissioned to design three new golf courses: the Black, Red, and Blue, alongside modifications to what would become the Green Course. However, there has been debate over the exact design contributions, with some crediting Joseph H. Burbeck, the park's superintendent, as the primary designer of the Black Course, with Tillinghast as a consultant. The Black Course opened in 1936.
Design and Challenges:
The Black Course at Bethpage is renowned for its difficulty, famously warned by a sign at the first tee stating, "The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers." With narrow fairways, deep rough, and strategically placed bunkers, the course presents a significant challenge. It was designed with the ambition to be "the public Pine Valley," showcasing classic Tillinghast design features like long, demanding par 4s and intricate green complexes. Over time, significant modifications were made, especially by Rees Jones in preparation for major tournaments, enhancing its challenge and conditioning.
Major Championships and Recognition:
Bethpage Black's prominence in the golfing world was cemented with its hosting of the U.S. Open in 2002, where Tiger Woods was the only player to finish under par, and again in 2009, won by Lucas Glover. The course has also been the site for the PGA Championship in 2019, won by Brooks Koepka, and is scheduled to host the Ryder Cup in 2025. These events have not only showcased the course's rigorous layout but also highlighted its status as one of the best public courses in America, often ranked highly by golf publications like Golf Digest.
Public Access and Legacy:
The Black Course's public nature has made it a unique destination for golfers. It's often described as "The People's Country Club," where individuals from various walks of life can experience championship golf at a relatively affordable price compared to private clubs. The challenge of securing tee times has become legendary, with stories of golfers camping overnight in the parking lot to get a chance to play this formidable course. This accessibility has contributed to its lore and love among golf enthusiasts, creating a vibrant, inclusive golfing culture.
Cultural Impact and Community:
Beyond its golfing merits, Bethpage State Park has broader recreational facilities, fostering a community hub for various activities including tennis, polo, and winter sports. The park's history intertwines with local history, from its origins linked to the Yoakum estate to its role in local recreational life. The Black Course, in particular, has become a symbol of public golf excellence, demonstrating that world-class golf does not need to be exclusive to the elite. The course's history is also one of resilience, having undergone significant maintenance and upgrades to host major events while preserving its challenging essence.
Conclusion:
Bethpage State Park's Black Course stands as a testament to the vision of public golf spaces that can rival private clubs in challenge and allure. From its Depression-era inception to its status as a host for some of golf's most prestigious tournaments, the Black Course has maintained a unique position in American golf culture, blending history, architectural integrity, and public access into a narrative of sporting excellence. Its future, with the upcoming Ryder Cup, promises to add another chapter to its storied history, continuing to challenge and delight golfers for years to come.
Origins and Early Development:
Bethpage State Park, located in Farmingdale, New York, was developed from land originally owned by the Yoakum family. In the early 1930s, the Bethpage Park Authority purchased the land, including the existing Lenox Hills Country Club, with the goal of creating a public park. The park's golf facilities were envisioned to be a public counterpart to the elite private clubs of the time. Famed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast was commissioned to design three new golf courses: the Black, Red, and Blue, alongside modifications to what would become the Green Course. However, there has been debate over the exact design contributions, with some crediting Joseph H. Burbeck, the park's superintendent, as the primary designer of the Black Course, with Tillinghast as a consultant. The Black Course opened in 1936.
Design and Challenges:
The Black Course at Bethpage is renowned for its difficulty, famously warned by a sign at the first tee stating, "The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers." With narrow fairways, deep rough, and strategically placed bunkers, the course presents a significant challenge. It was designed with the ambition to be "the public Pine Valley," showcasing classic Tillinghast design features like long, demanding par 4s and intricate green complexes. Over time, significant modifications were made, especially by Rees Jones in preparation for major tournaments, enhancing its challenge and conditioning.
Major Championships and Recognition:
Bethpage Black's prominence in the golfing world was cemented with its hosting of the U.S. Open in 2002, where Tiger Woods was the only player to finish under par, and again in 2009, won by Lucas Glover. The course has also been the site for the PGA Championship in 2019, won by Brooks Koepka, and is scheduled to host the Ryder Cup in 2025. These events have not only showcased the course's rigorous layout but also highlighted its status as one of the best public courses in America, often ranked highly by golf publications like Golf Digest.
Public Access and Legacy:
The Black Course's public nature has made it a unique destination for golfers. It's often described as "The People's Country Club," where individuals from various walks of life can experience championship golf at a relatively affordable price compared to private clubs. The challenge of securing tee times has become legendary, with stories of golfers camping overnight in the parking lot to get a chance to play this formidable course. This accessibility has contributed to its lore and love among golf enthusiasts, creating a vibrant, inclusive golfing culture.
Cultural Impact and Community:
Beyond its golfing merits, Bethpage State Park has broader recreational facilities, fostering a community hub for various activities including tennis, polo, and winter sports. The park's history intertwines with local history, from its origins linked to the Yoakum estate to its role in local recreational life. The Black Course, in particular, has become a symbol of public golf excellence, demonstrating that world-class golf does not need to be exclusive to the elite. The course's history is also one of resilience, having undergone significant maintenance and upgrades to host major events while preserving its challenging essence.
Conclusion:
Bethpage State Park's Black Course stands as a testament to the vision of public golf spaces that can rival private clubs in challenge and allure. From its Depression-era inception to its status as a host for some of golf's most prestigious tournaments, the Black Course has maintained a unique position in American golf culture, blending history, architectural integrity, and public access into a narrative of sporting excellence. Its future, with the upcoming Ryder Cup, promises to add another chapter to its storied history, continuing to challenge and delight golfers for years to come.