This promises to be a spring unlike any other at Bethpage State Park, where work and preparation for this May's PGA Championship on the Black Course carried on through the winter and will soon continue amid the din of refreshed Long Island golfers. Local players will have to make a few sacrifices, however, before play at the park returns to normal following the tournament.
New York State recently announced reopening dates at the park along with information on modified holes impacted by PGA infrastructure. The Green Course will reopen on Saturday, March 16 with temporary tees on holes #1 and #18. Also reopening on March 16 is the Yellow Course, which will be available only for nine-hole play. Yellow is typically open all winter but closed in late fall for PGA prep.
Bethpage Red will reopen on Friday, March 29 with temporary tees on #1 and #5.
The Blue Course — the only course to remain open this winter — will have a temporary tee on #1.
As for the Black Course, the park plans to offer restricted walk-up play from Saturday, April 13 to Sunday, April 28, weather permitting. Normal play is expected to resume on Saturday, May 25.
For more info, call the park at (516) 249-0700 or check the NYS reservation website.