Bethpage road trip?

[jvincent]

OK, the snow, boredom, and a discussion on GEA have prompted me to start this thread.

Assuming the stars (wife, job, weather, etc) align sometime in the late April or early May timeframe, who's up for a road trip to Bethpage?

I managed to play it last year and I am itching to have another crack at it with my own clubs.

The Black course opens mid-April and from what I have been told it is usually easier to get on early in the season while the fair weather NY golfers wait for the summer.

It's about an 8 hour drive from here so I figure the plan would be as follows:

Day 1: Drive down. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 2: Get to the course early and do the parking lot thing to play the Black. Hotel.
Day 3: Play the Red and perhaps another course depending on time/weather. Hotel.
Day 4: Drive back. Maybe after an early morning round.

Anyone interested? If yes, start lobbying the wive's now.

For those that missed it, here is the link to my pictures from last year's trip.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jevincentjr/Bethpage

[Big Johnny69]

You'd have to get me an approximate cost on this before I start lobbying. LMK, thanks. And if it makes it cheaper, I'm not against slumming it.

[Kilroy]

Is sleeping in your car in the parking lot at Bethpage, and possibly not getting on part of the routine at that time of year?

[MusicMan]

do we have a price on what this will cost?

[jvincent]

Here's some info for you guys.

Bethpage Golf Web page: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/golf/info.asp?golfID=12

Greens fees for the courses are as follows: Weekday/Weekend.

Black: $100/$120 (closed on Mondays)
Red: $72/$82
Green/Blue/Yellow: $31/$36

The Black and Red rates are the out of state rates BTW.

The day I played it was pretty much wide open for tee times on the Black, which is the toughest to get on. That was partly due to the weather, but according the guy I played with, who lives 5 mins from the course, early in the season it is usually pretty easy to get on the Black if you get there early.

He said that the craziness of sleeping in the cars is usually reserved for the summer once school is out and especially on weekends. That time of year we would probably be able to just arrive really early (5/6AM) and get a time on the Black.

I haven't checked hotels yet but I expect there's a selection of places that could be shared.

[Big Johnny69]

So tempting, but with the OG/TGN Ryder Cup event, I'm not sure I'd be able to get away for two golfing trips..... Although I'd love to play the Black. And I know Mr. Vincent would be up for playing it from the tips.

[MusicMan]

i was thinking the same thing Geoff.... but id love to play the black... maybe in a couple years when im making some better cash than i am right now...

[jvincent]

Geoff, just think of it as a test of your negotiating skills.

Jarred, just eat KD and hot dogs for a couple of months to save up.

And yes, I would play from the tips again. I shot 93 from back there last time in very tough conditions with borrowed clubs so I know I've got sub 90 in me.

[mjf]

I asked my wife and she said, without hesitation, "NO". So... maybe.

[Kilroy]

she said, without hesitation, "NO". So... maybe.

Excellent!

[LBH]

I am definitely interested - keep me in the loop...

[jvincent]

Will do.

I pinged my contact at Bethpage and he said that April is definitely the best time to go for tee times.

[jonf]

So tempting, but with the OG/TGN Ryder Cup event, I'm not sure I'd be able to get away for two golfing trips..... Although I'd love to play the Black. And I know Mr. Vincent would be up for playing it from the tips.

As I see it, there is a very simply solution to this problem: hold the OG/TGN Ryder Cup at Bethpage.

[John]

I think that I would certainly be interested in this trip if it goes down. Keep me in the loop, my wifey loves it when i'm gone.

[Ginker]

Keep me in the loop too.. I would love to go if I can swing it with the wife..

[Big Johnny69]

I would soooooooooo love to do this. But it would have to be this or the Ryder Cup vs the TO guys. With a friend's bachelor party I have to plan for this summer, there just won't be enough cash and time to do everything. Decisions.....decisions.....

[hoolio]

I would soooooooooo love to do this. But it would have to be this or the Ryder Cup vs the TO guys. With a friend's bachelor party I have to plan for this summer, there just won't be enough cash and time to do everything. Decisions.....decisions.....

You could go double or nothing... Take all the cash you plan on spending at the Bachelor party to the casino and put it all on Red (or Black I guess). Think about it

[Big Johnny69]

Mr. Vincent, you still serious about this? I may forget about the putter for an anniversary gift and opt for this roadie instead. LMK and we can get planning.

[jvincent]

If I can make the work part of the equation work, I am still game.

I'm not sure what the snow situation is like on Long Island right now and if that will affect the opening dates or not. I'll give my contact a ping and see if he has any intel on the course opening.

[Big Johnny69]

If I can make the work part of the equation work, I am still game.

I'm not sure what the snow situation is like on Long Island right now and if that will affect the opening dates or not. I'll give my contact a ping and see if he has any intel on the course opening.

Keep me posted.

[Big Johnny69]

I have a buddy who would be in if this thing goes. And as of right now, I'm in. I'm packed and ready to roll. Let's plan this sweet roadie!!!!!


So what about heading down on a Friday afternoon, play the green/blue or yellow on Sat, play the Black on Sun and then play one of the green/blue/yellow again on Monday then head home? I'm not sure I want to tie up $200 for two rounds of golf when I could spend less than that and get three rounds in.

Super stoked for this. The tips from the Black, does it get any better???

[jvincent]

Oddly enough, I just finished sending email to my contact there to get an update on conditions.

In terms of logistics I was thinking of more or less the same thing, i.e. drive down Friday and come back on Monday.

According to everyone the Red is almost as nice as the Black so my preference would be to play Red on Saturday. Of course if there are Black tee times available we should just snag them.

[Big Johnny69]

Oddly enough, I just finished sending email to my contact there to get an update on conditions.

In terms of logistics I was thinking of more or less the same thing, i.e. drive down Friday and come back on Monday.

According to everyone the Red is almost as nice as the Black so my preference would be to play Red on Saturday. Of course if there are Black tee times available we should just snag them.

I'm just thinking cost wise. Yeah, I'm not footing this bill, but I still don't want to get greedy.

But shouldn't we start on another track for a warm up for the Black. Not sure if it's the first course we want to hit when we get there.

Regardless, keep me posted and count me in.

[jvincent]

Depending on how busy it is, weather, etc it may be a case of taking whatever tee times are available. You'd hate to pass on a time on the Black on Saturday and then get hosed by not getting one on Sunday.

There's also the weather factor too.

As far as starting off on the Black, that was my first round last year after not hitting a club all winter. Ouch! The driving range was closed too so there was no warmup at all.

[gbower]

I played with a guy yesterday that used to live near Bethpage and he said that the Black course is usually the easiest to get on but that is probably mid season. He also mentioned that if your handicap is above a set value (he didn't mention what) that they won't let you ride so that they discourage poorer golfers from playing and slowing it up. He said that walking the course is very tough.
Have fun guys

[jvincent]

Was he an old, confused guy?

The Black is by far the hardest to get on. There are guys on the GEA from NYC who celebrate when they get a decent advanced time. When I was there every one was trying to get Black tee times and all the other courses were completely open.

As to handicaps/carts, there are no power carts allowed on the Black at all. It's carry or push only. There's no handicap limit to playing, although they do have the warning sign on the first tee.

I didn't find it that tough a walk either. There are a few ups and downs but it's no worse than Loch March. Maybe a hair longer but the same number/amount of elevation changes.

[gbower]

I guess he must have been messing with me and yes he was an old confused guy. ;-)

[jvincent]

You've got to stop hanging around those old retired guys.

[btasse]

Bethpage golf courses are always open. They may close some days due to courses not being playable (like snow). The golf shop is open year round.

The Black at this time of the year is the easiest to get on due to course conditions at this time of the year. Why pay $100. when you can play the other ones for $30-$40. Most people want to spend $100. when course in decent shape.

And you cant play the Black on Mondays because of maintenance.

[Big Johnny69]

Bethpage golf courses are always open. They may close some days due to courses not being playable (like snow). The golf shop is open year round.

The Black at this time of the year is the easiest to get on due to course conditions at this time of the year. Why pay $100. when you can play the other ones for $30-$40. Most people want to spend $100. when course in decent shape.

And you cant play the Black on Mondays because of maintenance.

Just for the thrill of playing one of the courses the pros played. We will try to hold out for the longest time for the conditions to be the best they can be for the given time of year, but if we can get on easier due to the time of year I'm all for that. Not sure I want to spend an entire night in a parking lot in my car.......wait, I've already done that once.