Hey LI golfers,
July 4th weekend is here and that's when Long Island golf courses see golfers come out of the woodworks.
The rounds tend to get a bit longer, a typical weekend round at Bethpage is 5.5 hours, way too long. Perhaps NY State should take some of that $6 million they took from the USGA and help us golfers in two ways. First, spread out the tee times a bit. The average Bethpage golfer shoots just over 100 for 18, so maybe every 12 minutes instead of every eight minutes. So, they won't get 300 round/day, but they'll have a lot more satisfied golfers. Second, why not on-course Rangers? I have never seen a Ranger on any Bethpage course in all my years playing there. Please don't let them say they don't have the budget.
In an attempt to speed up play on Bethpage, Hamlet Wind Watch, Harbor Links or where ever you're fortunate to play this weekend follow some simple rules. Maximum number of shots/hole is a snowman. When putting take a moderate amount of time to line up your putt. I understand you might be playing one of several golf betting games with your buddies, but hey, think of the group standing in the fairway waiting for you to putt out. And lastly if you hit into the woods, as I often do, keep the search time to a minimum. If you can't find it in less that 10 minutes, drop one alongside the fairway and play on.
See you on the teebox.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Monday @ the US Open
Hey LI golfers,
So,after several rain delays and a silly decision to start the Final Round with less than an hour of daylight - even on the longest day of the year - the US Open has two co-leaders that Johnny Miller insists will fold on the Final day and Phil will win the 109th US Open.
Geez, Louise. Yes, Ricky Barnes was ranked 518th in the World and Miller is trying to say that's a BAD thing. Being ranked 518th in the world in anything is pretty damn good and means you have a great shot at winning one of golf's four major championships. Why not root for Ricky or his co-leader Lucas Glover, it would make a great story for the media and take some of the heat off Tiger and Phil.
But, no. They have to extend NBC's coverage of today's US Open coverage, so that they can watch Tiger finish up. There's more to golf than Tiger Woods. what's going to happen when Tiger retires? What will the golf media do? the ratings will be off 30 percent (that's the increase a professional golf tournament gets when Tiger plays), maybe they should start showing the young guys, who I must admit look like mere teenagers.
But let us not forget tha tomorrow is NOT a playoff and thus Playoff tickets will NOT be allowed, only Thursday tickets, which until the NY Attorney General got involved were worthless mementoes from one of sport's premier events.
So now the USGA will have a size able gallery for window dressing to crown a champion of their most popular event. Maybe The Donald who the very first hospitality tent on Bethpage Black. I wonder how he got that spot?
Enough of the small talk. We shall have an exciting finish on Monday to what has been an eventful event. I'm glad the USGA had to play on Monday, at least they gave golf fans a way to experience the US Open up close and personal.
See you on the tee box.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
So,after several rain delays and a silly decision to start the Final Round with less than an hour of daylight - even on the longest day of the year - the US Open has two co-leaders that Johnny Miller insists will fold on the Final day and Phil will win the 109th US Open.
Geez, Louise. Yes, Ricky Barnes was ranked 518th in the World and Miller is trying to say that's a BAD thing. Being ranked 518th in the world in anything is pretty damn good and means you have a great shot at winning one of golf's four major championships. Why not root for Ricky or his co-leader Lucas Glover, it would make a great story for the media and take some of the heat off Tiger and Phil.
But, no. They have to extend NBC's coverage of today's US Open coverage, so that they can watch Tiger finish up. There's more to golf than Tiger Woods. what's going to happen when Tiger retires? What will the golf media do? the ratings will be off 30 percent (that's the increase a professional golf tournament gets when Tiger plays), maybe they should start showing the young guys, who I must admit look like mere teenagers.
But let us not forget tha tomorrow is NOT a playoff and thus Playoff tickets will NOT be allowed, only Thursday tickets, which until the NY Attorney General got involved were worthless mementoes from one of sport's premier events.
So now the USGA will have a size able gallery for window dressing to crown a champion of their most popular event. Maybe The Donald who the very first hospitality tent on Bethpage Black. I wonder how he got that spot?
Enough of the small talk. We shall have an exciting finish on Monday to what has been an eventful event. I'm glad the USGA had to play on Monday, at least they gave golf fans a way to experience the US Open up close and personal.
See you on the tee box.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
Friday, June 19, 2009
USGA Stinks
Hey LI golfer,
Yes, I'm one of the 42,500 golf fans that got screwed yesterday by the callous USGA.
I slogged through mud that made my white Nikes brown with Bethpage Black mud. How can they NOT refund our $100 Grounds ticket and who knows how much more for the la di da Trophy Room tent, which would have been a great place to hang. And what about all those fancy corporate tents.
The USAGA execs and their guests i.e, Bernadette Castro, et al, probably sat around all day eating caviar and washing it down with Grey Goose and Johnnie Walker Blue - all on our tax dollars.
I mean the stingiest MLB team - the NY Yankees even offered to redeem all tickets for yesterday's 5.5 hours rain delayed game - and the Yankees played the game, albeit at night.
The USGA has mud and egg on its face. It's up to them to make it right by golf fans and redeem the tickets for Thursday's round.
See you on the tee box.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
Yes, I'm one of the 42,500 golf fans that got screwed yesterday by the callous USGA.
I slogged through mud that made my white Nikes brown with Bethpage Black mud. How can they NOT refund our $100 Grounds ticket and who knows how much more for the la di da Trophy Room tent, which would have been a great place to hang. And what about all those fancy corporate tents.
The USAGA execs and their guests i.e, Bernadette Castro, et al, probably sat around all day eating caviar and washing it down with Grey Goose and Johnnie Walker Blue - all on our tax dollars.
I mean the stingiest MLB team - the NY Yankees even offered to redeem all tickets for yesterday's 5.5 hours rain delayed game - and the Yankees played the game, albeit at night.
The USGA has mud and egg on its face. It's up to them to make it right by golf fans and redeem the tickets for Thursday's round.
See you on the tee box.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Rain Rain Go Away
Hey LI golfers,
I just checked the weather report and and 8:07AM on Thursday, the first day of the US Open Championship, it appears Tiger will tee off in heavy rain.
What is it with the golf and rain g-ds? Why can't they mutually agree to have a Major championship on Bethpage Black without rain? It happened in 2002 and from what every weather expert says or posts, it looks like Tiger's toes will be squishing water in his shoes as he slogs through the Black course, on his way of course to shoot a 68 or there abouts.
So, what's are golf fans like us to do. First thing is to leave our cell phone behind. That in itself is tough. But, I remember seeing several people slip and slide in 2002, I just hope that I will not be one of them this year. After all, my legs ain't what they used to be seven years ago. I've already, scoped out where I'll take up residence the next few days.
I did hear that a relative of a friend rented his house to a PGA TOUR player and received $8,000 for the week. That's a lot better than many of the competitors in the US Open will make for the week.
Course of the week: Hamlet Wind Watch. A truly great golf course that is not as tight as the stories you may have heard. There's a few hills, but in a cart they're manageable. The greens are in great shape and the service in the pro shop and in the grill room is superb. If you're looking to treat yourself or a client, check out this beauty, off the LIE # 57.
See you at Bethpage.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
I just checked the weather report and and 8:07AM on Thursday, the first day of the US Open Championship, it appears Tiger will tee off in heavy rain.
What is it with the golf and rain g-ds? Why can't they mutually agree to have a Major championship on Bethpage Black without rain? It happened in 2002 and from what every weather expert says or posts, it looks like Tiger's toes will be squishing water in his shoes as he slogs through the Black course, on his way of course to shoot a 68 or there abouts.
So, what's are golf fans like us to do. First thing is to leave our cell phone behind. That in itself is tough. But, I remember seeing several people slip and slide in 2002, I just hope that I will not be one of them this year. After all, my legs ain't what they used to be seven years ago. I've already, scoped out where I'll take up residence the next few days.
I did hear that a relative of a friend rented his house to a PGA TOUR player and received $8,000 for the week. That's a lot better than many of the competitors in the US Open will make for the week.
Course of the week: Hamlet Wind Watch. A truly great golf course that is not as tight as the stories you may have heard. There's a few hills, but in a cart they're manageable. The greens are in great shape and the service in the pro shop and in the grill room is superb. If you're looking to treat yourself or a client, check out this beauty, off the LIE # 57.
See you at Bethpage.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
Monday, June 15, 2009
The US Open Is Here
Hey LI golfers,
After seven long years, the US Open - one of golf's Major Championships - is right here on Long Island!
I know several people who couldn't wait and are at today's practice round. They took their digital camera (allowed on practice rounds, discarded for Championship rounds)and are looking forward to seeing the world's best practice their craft. There are still tickets available at the Bethpage box office for practic rounds through Wednesday. I recommend, if you're one of the nine percent of unemployed Americans you make it out to a US Open practice round, the players are accessbile and the crowds are much smaller than the weekend.
Don't have a ticket for Thurs. - Sun.? Don't fret, there's a ticket "glut". I have received quite a few calls asking if I want tickets - at half price! I like many others ordered tickets last year.
If you have an AMEX card you can buy tix now, before they go on sale to the general public, to next year's US Open at hallowed Pebble Beach. they're Trophy room and can be purchased by the day, as compared to Bethpage, where you had to buy the whole strip.
See you at Bethpage.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
After seven long years, the US Open - one of golf's Major Championships - is right here on Long Island!
I know several people who couldn't wait and are at today's practice round. They took their digital camera (allowed on practice rounds, discarded for Championship rounds)and are looking forward to seeing the world's best practice their craft. There are still tickets available at the Bethpage box office for practic rounds through Wednesday. I recommend, if you're one of the nine percent of unemployed Americans you make it out to a US Open practice round, the players are accessbile and the crowds are much smaller than the weekend.
Don't have a ticket for Thurs. - Sun.? Don't fret, there's a ticket "glut". I have received quite a few calls asking if I want tickets - at half price! I like many others ordered tickets last year.
If you have an AMEX card you can buy tix now, before they go on sale to the general public, to next year's US Open at hallowed Pebble Beach. they're Trophy room and can be purchased by the day, as compared to Bethpage, where you had to buy the whole strip.
See you at Bethpage.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
USGA Does Right By Juniors
Hey LI golfers,
I had an opportunity to attend the USGA volunteer training in the merchandise tent, which is the size of a football field, and is stocked with lots of stuff, some of which would look great on my head, on my body or on my wall.
The thing I liked hearing the most from the very nice USGA staff who ran the meeting were the low cost ways for aspiring golfers to attend the US Open practice and championship rounds.
The following is based on two children per adult. Juniors 12 & under are admitted free the entire week. Juniors 13 - 17 are $15 each for the practice rounds and $30 each for the championship rounds. A bargain based on the "Adult" ticket prices.
This is just another way the USGA is trying to introduce the great sport we love to a new audience. I just hope that one of you will take your child, nephew, niece or grandchild to walk along the ropes at Bethpage Black and experience together one of the world's premier sports events.
See you in the merchandise tent.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
I had an opportunity to attend the USGA volunteer training in the merchandise tent, which is the size of a football field, and is stocked with lots of stuff, some of which would look great on my head, on my body or on my wall.
The thing I liked hearing the most from the very nice USGA staff who ran the meeting were the low cost ways for aspiring golfers to attend the US Open practice and championship rounds.
The following is based on two children per adult. Juniors 12 & under are admitted free the entire week. Juniors 13 - 17 are $15 each for the practice rounds and $30 each for the championship rounds. A bargain based on the "Adult" ticket prices.
This is just another way the USGA is trying to introduce the great sport we love to a new audience. I just hope that one of you will take your child, nephew, niece or grandchild to walk along the ropes at Bethpage Black and experience together one of the world's premier sports events.
See you in the merchandise tent.
Chuck
www.longislandgolfbygolfers.com
Monday, June 8, 2009
Tiger Is Ready For Bethpage
Hi golfers,
Shooting a 65 and overcome a six stroke deficit shows Tiger is ready for Bethpage Black.
The rest of the field, to be determined,at several US Open qualifiers across the country, better ready. They know Tiger has his A game and his surgically repaired knee will withstand the steep climb up to Bethpage Black's greens.
Will Angel Cabrera be strong enough to get the second leg of golf's Grand Slam? His portly size suggests that he might wilt under the conditions, guaranteed to be a bot warmer and more humid than August in April.
And will Phil want to win a Major for his ailing wife, who could use all the support she can get.
All I know is that golf fans are in for a real treat right in our own backyard. whether you drive to Jones Beach or take the train to the LIRR Farmingdale station for four days the golf world will be watching closely on what will be a great test of golf and endurance.
See you at the Black course.
Chuck
Shooting a 65 and overcome a six stroke deficit shows Tiger is ready for Bethpage Black.
The rest of the field, to be determined,at several US Open qualifiers across the country, better ready. They know Tiger has his A game and his surgically repaired knee will withstand the steep climb up to Bethpage Black's greens.
Will Angel Cabrera be strong enough to get the second leg of golf's Grand Slam? His portly size suggests that he might wilt under the conditions, guaranteed to be a bot warmer and more humid than August in April.
And will Phil want to win a Major for his ailing wife, who could use all the support she can get.
All I know is that golf fans are in for a real treat right in our own backyard. whether you drive to Jones Beach or take the train to the LIRR Farmingdale station for four days the golf world will be watching closely on what will be a great test of golf and endurance.
See you at the Black course.
Chuck
Saturday, June 6, 2009
US Open Practice Rounds
Hey LI golfers,
The US Open competition begins Thursday June 18th. And the Black will put the world's best golfers to a true test of skills and endurance. Especially, as many of us know that walking up the the 17th & 18th greens are very tough hills to climb, no less than try to beat out Tiger.
For those who have never ventured, I recommend you get your butt to the US Open Practice Rounds. The tickets' face value are considerably less than the four days of competition and you get many opportunities to see the golfers up close and personal they would say, if this were the Olympics.
First off, cameras or your fancy Blackberry or iPhone are allowed and you get to take pictures and watch the pros practice. When I went, grudgingly, to a US Open practice round in Shinnecock I was pleasantly surprised at how accessible the players were. The day was great. A lot less crowds and we had a chance to see and even talk to a few golfers, something that would never happen Thursday - Sunday.
So, get out to Bethpage for the US Open Practice Rounds. It'll be fun.
See you on the tee box.
Chuck
The US Open competition begins Thursday June 18th. And the Black will put the world's best golfers to a true test of skills and endurance. Especially, as many of us know that walking up the the 17th & 18th greens are very tough hills to climb, no less than try to beat out Tiger.
For those who have never ventured, I recommend you get your butt to the US Open Practice Rounds. The tickets' face value are considerably less than the four days of competition and you get many opportunities to see the golfers up close and personal they would say, if this were the Olympics.
First off, cameras or your fancy Blackberry or iPhone are allowed and you get to take pictures and watch the pros practice. When I went, grudgingly, to a US Open practice round in Shinnecock I was pleasantly surprised at how accessible the players were. The day was great. A lot less crowds and we had a chance to see and even talk to a few golfers, something that would never happen Thursday - Sunday.
So, get out to Bethpage for the US Open Practice Rounds. It'll be fun.
See you on the tee box.
Chuck
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Good News On Phil
Hey LI Golfers,
Glad to hear Amy Mickelson is doing well enough for Phil to rejoin the PGA TOUR in time to compete in this year's US OPEN on Bethpage Black.
I know many Long Island golfers are happy that Lefty will be there in just a few weeks going for another Major.
I would not rush to buy US OPEN tix on Stub Hub. From what we hear there is a glut of tix, which will have a tremendous effect on the price. My suggestion, is to hang out in the Jones Beach parking lot or by the Farmingdale LIRR station and pick up tickets from those who will be trying to unload their "extra" tickets. There might even be some of the Trophy Club tickets available at a reasonable price.
I played Oyster Bay over the weekend. I took a lesson with Doug Miller, their PGA Professional and played bogey golf on what was a very well conditioned course. Please write in and let us know the condition of the courses as you play them, so that other Long Island golfers will be able to make a more informed decision as to where to spend five hours, six if you play any Bethpage course, on the weekend.
See you on the tee box.
Chuck
Glad to hear Amy Mickelson is doing well enough for Phil to rejoin the PGA TOUR in time to compete in this year's US OPEN on Bethpage Black.
I know many Long Island golfers are happy that Lefty will be there in just a few weeks going for another Major.
I would not rush to buy US OPEN tix on Stub Hub. From what we hear there is a glut of tix, which will have a tremendous effect on the price. My suggestion, is to hang out in the Jones Beach parking lot or by the Farmingdale LIRR station and pick up tickets from those who will be trying to unload their "extra" tickets. There might even be some of the Trophy Club tickets available at a reasonable price.
I played Oyster Bay over the weekend. I took a lesson with Doug Miller, their PGA Professional and played bogey golf on what was a very well conditioned course. Please write in and let us know the condition of the courses as you play them, so that other Long Island golfers will be able to make a more informed decision as to where to spend five hours, six if you play any Bethpage course, on the weekend.
See you on the tee box.
Chuck
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