How tough is the US Open? Play it for Yourself
The US Open was not quite as tough this year, with torrential rains softening up Bethpage Black to the point the pros could spin back wedge shots on the greens... a sight that makes the USGA cringe. In years past, they didn't give the putting surface any water - to the point it was like hitting an approach shot into the parking lot. Remember Shinnecock?
Regardless, the Black course was still a stiff test for the world's best, and if you don't believe it, play it for yourself! Yes, following up last year's Open at public-owned Torrey Pines, Bethpage Black is a municipal golf course, open to all. You may recall the famous "warning" sign at the first tee of the Black, which informs players not to even play the course unless "highly skilled". The big elevation changes, massive bunkers, knee-length fescue grasses, and uphill shots into smaller greens will testify to the course's reputation as a monster. Designed by famous architect A.W.Tillinghast, the Black course has stood the test of time... although greatly helped by the recent renovations by the USGA.
If you wonder if golfers are masochists, the difficulty in getting on the Bethpage Black will confirm that. Even though its difficulty is well known, the only thing harder may be procuring a tee time. The primary tee times are given through a phone-in lottery system, but with the entire eastern seaboard calling in, the real lottery may be easier to win. As a result, you see golfers showing up early to get in line for the early morning slots available before scheduled tee times start, first come, first served. How early? Well, 6:00. The previous evening, that is. Yes, like Torrey Pines out west, golfers sleep in their cars in hopes of grabbing one of those precious first-out slots. If that doesn't sound appealing in your rental car, a third option is to pay a surcharge through a tee time service, but expect to pay big bucks. The nice thing about the Black course is even though it is one of the top courses in the nation, out-of-state golfers pay only $100 midweek to play through the normal tee-time channels. If you go, keep in mind that Bethpage state park has 4 other golf courses, so you can try to get on at the black, and then catch a round on another course if you get turned away. (The Red course was also designed by Tillinghast.)
A much closer option for NW golfers is to head to Tacoma and get a round in at Chambers Bay. How is that a substitute for Bethpage Black? The 2 courses could not be more different in many ways... Chambers Bay is a links style course, with no real trees to speak of, and plays 180 degrees different than Bethpage. Yet, it is also a municipal golf course, it is walking only (like the Black), and it will also hold the US Open, in 2015. Plus, it is much easier to get a tee time these days... last year, when it opened to rave reviews, it was difficult to get on, but in recent months they have even gone so far as to lower greens fees and expand the twilight rate to get players out there.
