Bethpage State Park is a 1,477-acre New York State Park on the border of Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island. The park contains tennis courts, picnic and recreational areas, hiking and biking trails, and a polo field. However, it is best known for its five golf courses, including the renowned Bethpage Black Course.
Located in Farmingdale, the park was created in the 1930s when the Bethpage Park Authority purchased the Lenox Hills Country Club and other adjacent properties. The golf course architect hired to oversee the construction of the Black, Red, and Blue Course was A.W. Tillinghast. The Lenox Hills Course was the original golf course on the property and was converted into what is now the Green Course. The Yellow Course, which opened in 1958, was the final layout to be constructed and was designed by Alfred Tull. Altogether, approximately 300,000 rounds are played annually on the five courses at Bethpage which all begin from the Clubhouse area.
The Black Course is the most difficult of the five courses and presents a true challenge for players of all abilities. The course is walking only and has one of the highest slope ratings in the northeast at 152 with a course rating of 78.1, which is why it is recommended to only be played by low-handicap golfers. It was one of the last courses designed by Tillinghast and is said by many to be his finest work. The narrow fairways, high rough, well-placed bunkers and small elevated greens help to make it an extremely challenging course. From the Championship tees, the course plays to a par 71 and is a lengthy 7,465 yards. The bunkers are strategically placed to remind players that they will certainly be penalized for finding the sand. Many of the greenside bunkers are big, with slopes down extending down to their bottom.
In 2002, the Black Course became the first publicly owned and operated course to host the U.S. Open Championship. The tournament was played as a par 70 and was won by Tiger Woods, the only golfer to stay under par with a final score of 3-under. It was viewed as one of the most difficult and exciting U.S. Opens in history, breaking attendance records and creating a lively atmosphere. The U.S. Open returned to Bethpage Black again in 2009, which was won by Lucas Glover with a final score of 4-under par. Additionally, they hosted The Barclays in 2012 and 2016 at par 71 with Nick Watney winning in 2012 finishing at 10-under par, and Patrick Reed in 2016 at 9-under par. Bethpage Black is planning to host The Barclays again in 2021 and 2027. They will also host the PGA Championship in 2019 along with the Ryder Cup in 2024.
The Black Course is the only known course to post a warning that recommends that only highly skilled golfers dare challenge it, making it the perfect venue for the world’s finest golfers to prove their mettle. Tour pros have been impressed with the way a heavily trafficked municipal course can stand up to major championship and top tour competition.
With its passionate fans and outstanding reputation, amateur male golfers from New York State will be tested to the extent of their abilities from August 8-10 for the 95th New York State Men’s Amateur Championship.