Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

March 25, 1998

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brian Vattimo
518/486-1868

STATE PARKS ANNOUNCES OPENING DATES FOR GOLFING

(Albany, New York March 25, 1998...) Governor George E. Pataki and New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro today announced the opening dates for golfing at New York State Parks courses, including the re-opening of the world-famous Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Long Island.

"We are all very proud of the great golfing opportunities New York has to offer at its state parks," said Governor Pataki. "We are especially proud of Bethpage, the improvements to the Black Course and the upcoming U.S. Open."

Commissioner Castro said the Black Course, which has been closed for renovations in anticipation of the 2002 U.S. Open Championship, will reopen for public use on June 10. The Black Course has been ranked as one of the top courses in the world and will be the first publicly-owned course to host the U.S. Open.

"We offer some of the best golfing opportunities in the state and are excited about the upcoming season," said Commissioner Castro. "Our 27 courses offer beginners as well as expert golfers the opportunity to play challenging courses at reasonable green fees."

New York State Parks has also added the Sag Harbor course on Long Island, a new 9-hole facility situated on a peninsula and surrounded by woodlands, bluffs and wetlands, to its list of courses it operates.

NEW YORK STATE PARKS 1998 GOLF OPENING DATES

Following are the scheduled opening dates for New York State Parks golf courses. The schedule depends upon good weather.

Central Region
• Battle Island State Park Golf Course, 18 holes, opens April 10.
• Chenango Valley State Park Golf Course, 18 holes,opens April 15.
• Green Lakes State Park Golf Course, 18 holes, opens April 6.

Finger Lakes Region
• Bonavista State Park Golf Course, 9 holes, opens April 15.
• Pinnacle State Park Golf Course, 9 holes, opens April 3.
• Soaring Eagles Golf Course at Mark Twain State Park, 18 holes, opens April 1.

Long Island Region
• Bethpage State Park Golf Course, five 18-hole courses. Blue, yellow and green courses open year-round. Red course opens March 28; black course opens June 8.
• Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course, 18 holes, open year- round.
• Jones Beach State Park Golf Course, 18-hole pitch/putt, opens April 4.
• Robert Moses State Park Golf Course, 18-hole pitch/putt, opens April 4.
• Sag Harbor State Park Golf Course, 9 holes, opens April 1.
• Gov. Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park Golf Course, three 9-hole courses, open year round.

Niagara Region
• Beaver Island State Park Golf Course, 18 holes, opens April 17.

Palisades Region
• Rockland Lake State Park Golf Course, two 18-hole courses.

Championship opens March 13; executive opens March 27.

Saratoga/Capital Region
• Saratoga Spa State Park Golf Course, 18-hole championship course; 9-hole executive course. Both open April 18.

Taconic Region
• James Baird State Park Golf Course, 18 holes, opens April 3.
• Mills-Norrie/Dinsmore State Park Golf Course, 18 holes, opens April 10.

Thousand Islands Region
• St. Lawrence State Park Golf Course, 9 holes, opens April 25.
• Wellesley Island State Park Golf Course, 9 holes, opens April 25.