Robert Thompson:
The fanfare of the '02 Open has now caused the Black to be jammed on a regular basis -- irrespective of the time of year or day -- and that includes weekdays. Yes, you can access the course as a single as they will have some openings but if you think bringing the gang of four is an easy deal you might think again -- especially if you are outside New York.
The old days were a far different matter although clearly the turf issues are now resolved for the better.
Geoff:
You must not have spoken to many people when you played BB over the years. I did regularly -- and there were plenty of folks from Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsy that regularly patronized the place.
Geoff -- my wager was on the out-of-state rate -- you need to read what I post. Clearly, you're interested in your situation as a NEW YORKER -- NOT AS A GOLFER. That's your prerogative -- although I see your interests as simply parochial in nature.
Geoff -- you make it sound like just Matt and his tiny group of guys from Juuuuuuuuuuursee were the only ones who knew about the place who were not from NY. Trust me -- plenty of people ventured to the Black and NOT just for one round.
Geoff -- try to understand this -- the fees doubled for out-of-state players within a few months of the Open concluding. I don't have any p-r-o-o-f that rates will hit triple digits for these folks by '05 but I can see this happening. It's too easy for it NOT to happen.
There is no incentive for NY State to keep rates reasonable for out-of-state players. The attitude I sense is screw-em! And don't be sooooooooooooooooo smug to believe that in-state rates will forever stay below $50 either. You keep repeating like a parrot the "promises" that politicians made regarding the rates -- like I said these are the same promises made to the indians about staying on the reservation. I don't see them doubling but the day below $50 is a small one.
Bill:
You don't get it -- when individual states begin this nonsensical price escalation the golfer from the odd state looking in is s-c-r-e-w-e-d. Sure -- if NY does it then NJ can follow and then Pennsy follows right behind that. Where does it end? I'll often take daily-fee golf over publicly owned golf when systems of the type you see at Bethpage / Torrey are involved.
Mike S:
"In the old days nobody played The Black as it was too hard to play and too hard to walk."
Mike -- where do you get that comment from? Plenty of
g-o-l-f-e-r-s who knew about the Black l-o-n-g ago played it over and over -- it's the new people who suddenly "discovered" the Black that makes me laugh although I'm glad they finally have opened their eyes.
Who cares about the people who patronized the place for years and played off rubble-like conditions -- especially if they happen to be from Jersey or other states besides New York. Is that how you treat customers?
Mike -- I know of plenty of people who routinely walked the Black because they didn't want to be around people who can only play golf through the use of carts. The Black was their refuge away from those who simply "play" golf and are not "golfers."
Gentlmen:
I'd love for Bethpage to set aside even just a few tee spots for out-of-state play. Clearly, the existing reservation system is a windfall for those with local exchanges. Essentially, the Black has become their personal private club. In the old days it didn't matter if you lived on Mars -- if you had the energy / passion to wait it out you could get on the course A-N-D secure reasonable tee times. The current system is clearly advancing local interests and the glory days of the Black will now become less and less so -- with the exception of the lone annual visit that many will only have now.
