The course was closed Tuesday and Wednesday, but that didn’t stop the golfers from lining up — and camping out.
“I’ve been listening to the Grateful Dead channel for two days. I stopped drinking for only about three hours.”
That’s how one golfer summed up his week — part music festival, part endurance test — just to get a tee time at Bethpage Black before the gates close for next month’s Ryder Cup. It will be the first time in history the event is being played on Long Island.
After this Sunday, Aug. 17, the famed course in Farmingdale will shut down for what workers describe as “insane” construction. The tournament, Sept. 23-28, is golf’s version of the World Series colliding with the Super Bowl, and Bethpage Black’s hosting is a monumental first.
It’s also a rare opportunity for people in the Northeast to play the same course as the world’s best golfers.
“It’s Bethpage Black — it’s on the bucket list,” said one man from Melville who rolled into the parking lot early Wednesday, armed with a tent, blankets and a dream.
The People’s Course
‘Insane’ construction is already underway.
Bethpage Black isn’t just any course; it’s a part of golf lore.
When it hosted the 2002 U.S. Open, it became the first true public golf course ever to hold the championship, earning the nickname “The People’s Open.” Back then, all previous Opens had been staged at private clubs.
This time, it’s the Ryder Cup coming to a place where, for a few more days, everyday golfers from across the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic can still hop in a care and tee off.
And unlike, say Pebble Beach, where it could cost upwards of $730 to play 18 holes, a round at Bethpage is only $70 for a weekday, or $44 the the twilight deal. Morning and midday tee times jump to $80 on weekends.
Lining up days in advance
Justin Plank of Stony Brook got to Bethpage Black at 6 a.m. Tuesday to secure the top spot in line. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
At 4 a.m. Thursday — four hours before the first tee time — the parking lot is alive with campers, coolers and coffee cups.
For some, it’s the home stretch of a multi-day wait.
“I got here at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning,” said Justin Plank of Stony Brook, the proud owner of spot No. 1 in line. “I just love golf and the excitement of the Ryder Cup.”
Only the first 26 cars are guaranteed a tee time. Plank even taped a sign to his car to recruit strangers to round out his foursome.
Others aren’t so lucky.
“I haven’t figured that out yet,” said one golfer from New Jersey, Bud Light in hand before sunrise. “I don’t know if I’ll go back to work, and I don’t want my boss to know what I did.”
From six hours away
Vivi Chu and Sunny Small drove to Farmingdale from Virginia. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
Vivi Chu and Sunny Small drove more than six hours from Virginia on Tuesday to lock in a spot.
Sleeping was another matter.
“We couldn’t sleep much,” Chu said. “We tried, but everyone else was partying all night long in the parking lot, so it was loud.”
The crowds
Justin Plank of Stony Brook got to Bethpage Black at 6 a.m. Tuesday to secure the top spot in line. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
If you’re looking to play, the Black Course will be open to the public through Sunday before closing for final Ryder Cup prep.
Some 50,000 fans a day will attend the tournament. 500,000 people have registered for tickets for the Friday-Saturday-Sunday rounds.
If you haven’t already done the math, that’s 300,000 attendees for a six-day tournament.
Aside from the U.S., people hailing from 47 other counties have already bought tickets. Many are calling this the biggest sporting event to ever come to Long Island, which has played host to 34 thoroughbred racing Triple Crown attempts at Belmont, and several Stanley Cup finals. (The New York Islanders have always won the Stanley Cup on the road.)
Bethpage Black will reopen in early October. The Green and Yellow courses also close after play on Sunday. The Blue, Red, driving range, restaurant and Polo Field will close Sept. 8. No word yet on those reopening dates.
Bethpage Black in Farmingdale has become a Ryder Cup campsite for golf enthusiasts trying to squeeze in a round before the course closes Monday. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
Top: Long Islanders such as Mike Trumbull of Kings Park (rear driver’s side) and three buddies joined dozens of others looking to play one last round at Bethpage Black Thursday before the course closes for the Ryder Cup. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
