| Comments: |
Growing up on Long Island, I was lucky enough to play the Black Course on a very regular basis.
I also have been lucky enough to have played the likes of St. Andrews and Carnoustie, in Scotland,
and Mid Ocean, in Bermuda. Let me go on record to say that the Black Course at Bethpage State
Park far exceeds any course I have ever played, with Carnoustie edging into a tie when the wind kicks up to 20 or 30 mph. This golf course, nestled in the woods, is ultimately fair and punishing in the same breath. Large fairway and green-side bunkers are placed strategically about the course, requiring good iron play, but adequately sized fairways and greens offset some of the punishing aspects of the course. There is only one hole with water, the 190 yard eighth, and there are some longish carries off the tee, but even for a golfer who can put it out there 230 or so, it shouldn't be hellacious. The hell comes in as you grind on, hole after hole, trying to escape the bunkers and sometimes impossible rough. Pin point accuracy isn't as mauch the key here as it is remembering to not bite off more than you can chew. You will not beat this golf course with power but with patience and determination... and even then you won't win, you'll just be humbled. The U.S. OPEN comes here in 2002, so try it if you have some game, otherwise try one of the other 4 superb layouts. |
