Golfers flock to Bethpage Black as the course reopens to the public
Today is the first time the public can play Bethpage Black since the course closed on Aug. 18 to prepare for last month's Ryder Cup.
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The Black is back.
For the first time in nearly two months, the Bethpage Black course is open for public golfers. It's the first time since the course closed on Aug. 18 in preparation for last month's Ryder Cup.
For now, the course is only accepting walk-ups and the lot to get a tee time was filling up early yesterday.
Bethpage's Lou Lavacca and his buddies got spot number 1, guaranteeing them an early morning tee time. All they had to do was get here at 8 a.m. on Thursday.
Lavacca, who attended last week's Ryder Cup, called it an "awesome" experience to be able to play such a historic course in his own backyard that the world's best golfers called home just a few weeks ago.
"As soon as we pulled up, a gentleman was coming from North Carolina, driving 14 hours to be here, and they’re like Where are you from? And I’m like, this is where I’m from," Lavacca said.
Tee times at the Black will run from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
New Jersey's Whittaker Mack was in spot 28.
“To play Bethpage right after the Ryder Cup is just unbelievable," he said. "God just put me down here and I’m ready to play golf.”
Beginning Friday, Oct. 24, the Black Course will begin taking reservations if camping isn't your thing.
