Press Release
June 03, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brian Vattimo
518/486-1868
BETHPAGE BLACK COURSE TO RE-OPEN JUNE 10
Events planned to honor the public golfer
(Albany, New York June 3, 1998 ...) After a year of renovations in preparation for the 102nd U.S. Open Championship in 2002, the famous Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale will officially re-open to the public on Wednesday, June 10.
A dedication ceremony will be held on the course at 11 a.m., June 10. State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro will serve as the master of ceremonies at the event, which features representatives of the U.S. Golf Association (USGA). Governor Pataki is also expected to attend the event.
The Black Course, closed to the public since July 1997, is ranked as the fourth best public course in the country by Golf Magazine in 1998. The USGA has spent $2.7 million to renovate the Black Course. The restorations were designed and supervised by nationally-known course designer Rees Jones, who will also attend the June 10 event.
"We have picked June 10 to recognize and celebrate the public golfer, at what is now the greatest public course in the country," said Commissioner Castro.
Commissioner Castro said activities are planned throughout the day, including a competition for the best dressed foursome in golf attire.
The first tee time on June 10 is scheduled for 8 a.m., and the first two hours will be held open for walk-up foursomes. One tee time per hour thereafter is for walk up golfers. All other tee times can be reserved after the second hour through our automated reservation system one week ahead of the event. The last reserved tee time is 6 p.m. and walk ups can tee off until 7 p.m.
The Storr/Tractor and The Toro Company are the official sponsors of the grand reopening of the Black Course. USGA representatives will provide rulebooks and ball mark repair tools. Softspikes will provide free products to all players not already using spikeless shoes.
"This day is planned for the golfers who have helped make this course famous and helped build its worldwide reputation," said Commissioner Castro. "We want to thank the public golfers for their support."
The Black Course has been rated as one of the top 100 golf courses in the U.S. and is the only public course in New York to earn that distinction by Golf Digest. More than 45,000 golfers play the Black Course annually.
Jones said 2002 will be the first time the U.S. Open will be played on a public golf course.
"This will really be the `People's Open,'" said Jones.
For tee time information, call 516/249-0701.