Bethpage State Park is the site of the 2019 PGA Championship. Bethpage is one of over 250 parks, historic sites, golf courses, boat launches, and recreational trails managed by the NY State Parks. This year’s field of golfers will be teeing off Thursday May 16th through Sunday May 19th, when this year’s championship trophy will be awarded to the winner.
• If you’d like to attend, you should purchase tickets to the event this week.
• On any other week of the year with favorable weather, you can visit Bethpage State Park to play one of its five courses. Each course is unique. The most challenging, and the one played in the professional tournament, is the menacing Bethpage Black. It is also one of the few courses on the “Top 100 List” that you can actually play— it’s open to the public!
Black Course
This course is a fixture on any good golfer’s bucket list. Don’t be fooled by the first hole—there is a reason the signage states that the next 18 holes should only be played by low-handicap golfers. One of the last golf courses that A.W. Tillinghast designed, many consider it his highest achievement.
Red Course
The Red Course is a very challenging golf course. We have heard stories from people who play the course often, and they still have not scored par or better on a few of the holes. If you are unable to play the Black Course due to scheduling and you are a low-handicap golfer, you will enjoy the Red Course.
Blue Course
The Blue Course was originally designed by Tillinghast and has been redesigned by Alfred Tull. The front nine on this course is considered more challenging than the back nine.
Green Course
The Green Course is the original course at Bethpage, formerly called the Lenox Hills Course. It has also been redesigned and is perfect for beginner golfers, but still a challenge with its small greens.
Yellow Course
The Yellow Course is also great for beginners, but if played from the tips, it will be a challenge. If you play the Black Course, you might really enjoy a round on Yellow soon after to regain your confidence. If you are a golf purest, some of the original holes from the old Blue Course can be found here.
How to Check-off Bethpage Black from your Golf Bucket List
Register here to get an account with the State Park System (wait 72 hours to process).
Once confirmed, they will give you an account and a phone number to call for tee-time availability.
OR
If you’re in the area, show up early, nap in your car, and hope you can join a twosome or threesome. Camping is allowed in designated areas, and if you have the first camping spot, you will get the first open slot available that day. If you get a chance to play the Red Course, you will enjoy that challenge as well.
Just remember, a bad day on the golf course is better than a day in the office!
BONUS: To extend your Long Island golf experience, consider staying at Oheka Castle. It’s less than 10 miles from the golf course and one of the best historic hotels in the northeast. This is your opportunity to stay in the second largest home built in America. Take the tour and learn the history of this unique property.
Oheka Castle
135 West Gate Drive
Huntington, New York 11743
