Feedback from readers has been largely positive regarding the greens at Bethpage State Park, which absorbed a heavy beating from the winter of 2015 and needed until the very end of May to get back to full capacity. For much of the spring, a half-dozen temporary greens were in play on the Black Course, and next door on the Red, the par-3 fourth hole was closed as it bounced back from turf damage. A U.S. Open qualifier on the Red Course was reduced to 17 holes because of it.
As of last week, all 90 holes are fully open, greens and all. Golf On Long Island reader Matt K. took a ride out from Manhattan last weekend to check out how the Red fared in its recovery.
"Overall the Red was in great shape," he said. "The greens were true, but really quick, probably due to the lack of rain."
As for the recently reopened #4, the picturesque one-shotter was in "perfect shape."
Up ahead at #13 -- Matt's favorite hole -- the play, as usual, was to the blind left side of the split fairway. "Smoked a drive and had a great angle into the green to set up a birdie opportunity," he said.
"Just the way Tillinghast designed it."
PICTURED: Bethpage Red #4 (taken 2012)
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