The U.S. Open returns to Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., for the second time in seven years, June 18-21. GCSAA Class A member Craig Currier becomes just the second superintendent to host more than one U.S. Open at the same facility.
After a $2.7 million renovation project in 1997 to prepare for the 2002 U.S. Open, the Black Course has merely been tweaked in preparation for this year’s U.S. Open.
The changes amount to about 225 yards of added length in the form of new championship tees on seven holes, some recontouring of fairways and new or renovated fairway and greenside bunkers on seven holes. Currier also attempted to make the rough less thick by reducing fertilizer and overseeding. The collection areas behind holes No. 4 and 10 were rebuilt to hold long shots on No. 4 and release long shots on No. 10.
The USGA will set up the Black Course at par 70, 7,426 yards, with the Kentucky bluegrass/perennial ryegrass/fine fescue rough cut at graduating heights starting at 1 1/2 inches closest to the fairway, 2 1/2 inches six feet out, and four inches 20 feet out. Currier will have the bentgrass greens rolling at 14 feet on the stimpmeter.
Bethpage State Park, the first municipal golf course to host the U.S. Open in 2002, uses effluent water and is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
Grass type: | |
Weather: Low 70s with 40% chance of rain all week. | |
Yardage: 7,426 yards, par 70 | |
Fun fact: Three par-4s at Bethpage Black measure 500+ yards. |