Some of my fondest memories of growing up in Connecticut were playing golf with my father and brother. As the years went by, I moved from New England and adult responsibilities such as graduate school, a new job, and starting my own family began to take priority. What was once a spontaneous, leisurely weekend activity now required a lot of advance planning. Our efforts resulted in the “O’Hara Open”, a yearly opportunity for my father, brother, and I to have a round of golf, and our growing families to spend quality time with one another. This year, Long Island, specifically, the infamous Bethpage Black Golf Course, could not have served as a better setting for our time together.
Nassau County boasts a wide array of world-class attractions. From restaurants serving a variety of cuisines to shopping, museums, and some of the prettiest beaches on the East Coast, my family and childhood friends (also visiting Long Island at the time) were able to make lifelong memories up and down Nassau County. My father, brother, and I got to experience one of the most exceptional golf courses that would be familiar to even the most casual fan.
Bethpage Black Golf Course, part of the historic Bethpage State Park, has been around since 1936. Word quickly spread about the course’s tough nature and began attracting the greats of the day like Sam Snead. Over the years, it did fall into some disrepair and failed to distinguish itself as a high-end golf destination. Luckily, the United States Golf Association had the forethought and the funds to invest in Bethpage Black. More than 2 million dollars were spent on renovating and reseeding fairways, reshaping bunkers, and refurbishing all 18 greens. It’s easy to understand why “The Black” has consistently ranked among Golf Digest’s top 100 Greatest Golf Courses in America.
“The People’s Country Club” as it’s sometimes called, was soon back on the radar, hosting its first U.S. Open in 2002 and then again in 2009. It was host to The Barclays in 2012 and 2016, and the PGA Championship in 2019. It is currently gearing up to be the home of the 2025 Ryder Cup.
As the three of us walked on (the course doesn’t allow carts), we talked about how surreal it seemed to be sharing the fairways and greens with some of the greatest to ever play the game. To think we were playing on the same course that had seen the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, and Sergio Garcia was almost the highlight of our trip!
Many courses that host PGA Tour events may prohibit the average golfer from reasonable play due to cost or exclusivity, but Bethpage Black Golf Course and its several sister courses (Yellow, Blue, Red, and Green) are both reasonable and accessible, making this State Park a gem to a wide range of skill sets. There is an online reservation system, but as tee times are taken up almost immediately, camping out in the parking lot (affectionately termed “The Bethpage Inn”) overnight with the hopes of a cancellation has become commonplace.
Approaching the 1st tee, we took note of the famous warning sign awaiting players teeing off on the Black course. “WARNING,” reads the sign affixed to an iron railing, “The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers.” The origin of the sign remains a mystery, but it has now become essential in any television broadcast and is a popular selfie spot for those about to take on “The Black.”
The sign may be reminiscent of Dante’s cautionary passing through the gates of hell, but our experience at Bethpage Black was nothing short of paradise. A historic clubhouse operated by welcoming staff made our pre-round preparations a breeze. The Pro Shop had a nice selection of men’s and women’s apparel, home décor, and official Ryder Cup merch if you’re looking to take home a souvenir. The Black course delivered on both rumor and reality; a challenging layout demanding your “A” game balanced with beauty and top form. Storytelling, laughter, and reminiscing served as the soundtrack to our round, and there was little question that we’d remember this year’s “Open” for a long, long time.
Nassau County served as a wonderful host for our weekend getaway to Long Island. Our post-round recap over drinks in the Clubhouse transitioned into reminiscing about time spent together and how much that means to all of us. Our wives and children joined us for lunch, resulting in a perfect blend of honoring a family tradition while making new memories. We’ll be back, Bethpage Black.
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To discover more great golf courses in Nassau County, make sure to check out our list of The Best Public Courses in Nassau County.
