By Greg Midland
Much has been made during U.S. Open week about the difficult stretch of holes 5 through 12. But the statistics show what any regular player at Bethpage could tell you: the 15th is the Black Course's biggest backbreaker. Just a few minutes ago, this 459-yard, uphill beast derailed Tiger's rally after his back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14, as Woods made a bad bogey after hitting a solid drive and having only 175 to the green. While we mere mortals would have a hard time hitting an uphill shot of that length on the green, you don't expect to see Tiger blow a 5-iron over the green into the thick bluegrass rough, as he did. It just goes to show that when the players cross Round Swamp Road, they are faced with the toughest test on the Black.
Showing posts with label 2009 U.S Open. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009 U.S Open. Show all posts
June 22, 2009
June 21, 2009
What A Ride for Farren
By Billy Condon
I got the chance to catch up with Sean Farren after what would be his final round of the 2009 U.S. Open on Saturday. Farren, who posted a 80-75-155 missed the cut but remained positive as he discussed the awesome experience. "It was great, just great" replied Farren regarding his first U.S. Open as a competitor. "It was long and I left a few shots out there, but it is very scorable for those guys." When asked about the course conditions and how much it affected his play, Farren admitted that it was a bit soggy out there, but he feels that it was the length of the course that was the toughest challenge. "I don't hit the ball far enough like these other guys, holes like 5, 10 and 12 I had to play as par fives - it definitely is a bomber's paradise out there. On more than a few holes Farren was forced to hit hybrids into greens where others were coming in with 7 and 8 irons.
But it has been a fairy tale week for the head pro from the Creek Club, and Farren commented on how great a lifestyle these professional golfers lead as he was able to live it for a week. "Being able to play the best golf courses in the world and get paid for it, it's like Christmas every day - the food, the transportation and just how they are treated in general.
Farren was also impressed with how nice the other golfers were, especially after having a friendly chat with Jim Furyk, who asked about the Creek and the history behind the fantastic course. Farren also believes he was a little bit of luck for some of the guys who have been on their A game this week, having played with Lucas Glover, Todd Hamilton and Matt Bettencourt all at some point during the week.
Farren stated that in regards to playing in a U.S. Open, "anyone who loves golf should be able to experience this once in their lifetime. If I had the chance to do this again, I would give it up for someone else to have the chance."
When asked if he was going to stick around to see the outcome of the Open, Farren said that he has to go back to work on Sunday now that he doesn't have the Open as an excuse. Regardless, Sean Farren can always look back on the fact that not only did he qualify, he was able to play golf on Saturday at the U.S. Open in front of friends, family and strangers who embraced him as their hometown guy.
I got the chance to catch up with Sean Farren after what would be his final round of the 2009 U.S. Open on Saturday. Farren, who posted a 80-75-155 missed the cut but remained positive as he discussed the awesome experience. "It was great, just great" replied Farren regarding his first U.S. Open as a competitor. "It was long and I left a few shots out there, but it is very scorable for those guys." When asked about the course conditions and how much it affected his play, Farren admitted that it was a bit soggy out there, but he feels that it was the length of the course that was the toughest challenge. "I don't hit the ball far enough like these other guys, holes like 5, 10 and 12 I had to play as par fives - it definitely is a bomber's paradise out there. On more than a few holes Farren was forced to hit hybrids into greens where others were coming in with 7 and 8 irons.
But it has been a fairy tale week for the head pro from the Creek Club, and Farren commented on how great a lifestyle these professional golfers lead as he was able to live it for a week. "Being able to play the best golf courses in the world and get paid for it, it's like Christmas every day - the food, the transportation and just how they are treated in general.
Farren was also impressed with how nice the other golfers were, especially after having a friendly chat with Jim Furyk, who asked about the Creek and the history behind the fantastic course. Farren also believes he was a little bit of luck for some of the guys who have been on their A game this week, having played with Lucas Glover, Todd Hamilton and Matt Bettencourt all at some point during the week.
Farren stated that in regards to playing in a U.S. Open, "anyone who loves golf should be able to experience this once in their lifetime. If I had the chance to do this again, I would give it up for someone else to have the chance."
When asked if he was going to stick around to see the outcome of the Open, Farren said that he has to go back to work on Sunday now that he doesn't have the Open as an excuse. Regardless, Sean Farren can always look back on the fact that not only did he qualify, he was able to play golf on Saturday at the U.S. Open in front of friends, family and strangers who embraced him as their hometown guy.
June 20, 2009
Amateurs Making Their Mark
By Greg Midland
Most players in the U.S. Open are playing for prize money -- plenty of it, in fact. But the amateurs in this year's field are having a good time, too. Three amateurs made the cut, and one of them, 21-year-old Nick Taylor of British Columbia, is legitimately in contention at 2-under-par 138. Drew Weaver, the 22-year-old who won the British Amateur in 2007 and is a graduate of Virginia Tech, is particularly animated with the crowds, who are eating it up. The third amateur to make the cut is 21-year-old Kyle Stanley of Clemson.
Most players in the U.S. Open are playing for prize money -- plenty of it, in fact. But the amateurs in this year's field are having a good time, too. Three amateurs made the cut, and one of them, 21-year-old Nick Taylor of British Columbia, is legitimately in contention at 2-under-par 138. Drew Weaver, the 22-year-old who won the British Amateur in 2007 and is a graduate of Virginia Tech, is particularly animated with the crowds, who are eating it up. The third amateur to make the cut is 21-year-old Kyle Stanley of Clemson.
June 19, 2009
A Walk to Remember
By Billy Condon
I arrived to Bethpage this afternoon and as the sun poured down, there was one thing that kept drawing my attention - feet. The heavy rains that doused Bethpage yesterday made for quite the mudfest today and the New York fans were up to the challenge...well...most were. Some of the more creative and smart solutions to the muddy mess I encountered were a few gentlemen who had tied plastic bags around their feet and up their lower legs. Another man wore plastic bags around his socks inside his shoes. Others wore mid-calf rubber galoshes while another wore crocs.
Some of the footwear blunders of the day included a frequency of sandals, including ones that someone had given up on and abandoned in the sticky swamp that was the gallery walkways. And with the mud kicking up the back of legs, the sundresses that were being sported today turned out to be a big mistake.
With the expected precipitation tomorrow, it again looks like proper footwear will be a must as today's sun managed to not dry out the mud, but turn it into a pine tar-esque paste. Alas, it will take more than a little rain and mud to quiet the rambunctious fans as cheers, boos, laughs and gaffs continue to echo through the grounds of the Black.
I arrived to Bethpage this afternoon and as the sun poured down, there was one thing that kept drawing my attention - feet. The heavy rains that doused Bethpage yesterday made for quite the mudfest today and the New York fans were up to the challenge...well...most were. Some of the more creative and smart solutions to the muddy mess I encountered were a few gentlemen who had tied plastic bags around their feet and up their lower legs. Another man wore plastic bags around his socks inside his shoes. Others wore mid-calf rubber galoshes while another wore crocs.
Some of the footwear blunders of the day included a frequency of sandals, including ones that someone had given up on and abandoned in the sticky swamp that was the gallery walkways. And with the mud kicking up the back of legs, the sundresses that were being sported today turned out to be a big mistake.
With the expected precipitation tomorrow, it again looks like proper footwear will be a must as today's sun managed to not dry out the mud, but turn it into a pine tar-esque paste. Alas, it will take more than a little rain and mud to quiet the rambunctious fans as cheers, boos, laughs and gaffs continue to echo through the grounds of the Black.
June 17, 2009
Afternoon Delight
By Billy Condon
Photo Gallery
J.J. and I…Round Two – After what I thought was an exciting morning, this afternoon was a real treat. After lunch I headed to the practice greens and got the chance to catch up one-on-one with J.J. Henry. Again in good spirits, J.J. said that although the course is playing long, it is playing fair. “Everything is right there in front of you to go and get it,” said Henry. Henry reiterated how special it is playing a U.S. Open here in the Met Area so close to where he grew up and knowing he will have the hometown crowd supporting him. With the looming threat of rain tomorrow, he said that today’s conditions were ideal, but if the weather gets bad “it means you have to hang in there so much more, it’s the same course for everybody, so those that can stick it out will have success.”
Player Impressions – Between Phil Mickelson’s press conference this morning, word of mouth around the course and my interaction with other players, the one thing on everyone’s mind is length and strategy, particularly with where the tees will be located. With the predicted forecast, players are finding that a common word this week will be “hybrid” and they are hoping that the USGA will keep this in mind when setting the tees for tomorrow’s opening round.
I was able to catch up with Sean Farren as he was getting ready to call it a day and he said how he is hitting an iron on his second shots about every six holes and that his hybrids are getting a ton of use. However, he feels confident that with solid play he can hold his own and he is enjoying every minute of the experience.
Chat with Paul – I was fortunate enough to have a lengthy conversation with the number-three ranked player in the world, Paul Casey. Many different topics were covered including the course layout, his thoughts on golf in New York, and Twitter. Having not played at Bethpage in the 2002 Open, Casey played a practice round last week and is getting a great feel for the course and is confident with his ball-striking. He also said how he hasn’t really played much golf here in the Met Area apart from Baltusrol and Winged Foot and doesn’t really know many of the other courses the area boasts. Casey did say that although the Black plays long, it is also a friendly course for those shorter hitters that are deadly accurate. Ball placement will be a big factor this week and players won’t necessarily need 300 yard drives to gain an advantage.
Casey talked about how Twitter has become the new rage on the Tour although he was still trying to figure how to use it. While on the topic of Twitter, the Tour’s Twitter King, Stewart Cink, came over and joined the conversation (photo evidence above). It was awesome to be involved in a conversation with some of the game’s best. A great end to a terrific day out at the Black!
Practice Round with J.J. Henry
By Billy Condon
I managed to catch up with J.J. Henry for some of his morning practice round today and he appeared very cool and collected. Cracking smiles and stopping to sign autographs and pose for pictures, he has been one of the most accomodating pros out here to fans of all ages. When a cameraman laid on the ground right behind him for his tee shot for the par three third hole, Henry gave a glance and said "That's a great spot to take the picture." He then knocked a long iron down the pipe. When asked if he would play with a Met Area club member in his member-guest next week, Henry asked which club it was being held at and that he would be there (followed up by a quick wink). Of all the personalities out at Bethpage this week, Henry may not be as in-demand as Tiger, Phil and Rocco, but the pro golf faithful recognize that he is a local guy who can make some moves out here.
I managed to catch up with J.J. Henry for some of his morning practice round today and he appeared very cool and collected. Cracking smiles and stopping to sign autographs and pose for pictures, he has been one of the most accomodating pros out here to fans of all ages. When a cameraman laid on the ground right behind him for his tee shot for the par three third hole, Henry gave a glance and said "That's a great spot to take the picture." He then knocked a long iron down the pipe. When asked if he would play with a Met Area club member in his member-guest next week, Henry asked which club it was being held at and that he would be there (followed up by a quick wink). Of all the personalities out at Bethpage this week, Henry may not be as in-demand as Tiger, Phil and Rocco, but the pro golf faithful recognize that he is a local guy who can make some moves out here.
Fans in the Stands
By Billy Condon
I was able to catch up with a local golf fan, Nick D. of Huntington, N.Y. Nick and his buddies had been camped out on the 17th green the since 7 a.m. and were particularly excited to see Mickelson. I got a chance to talk to Nick while we watched Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Billy Mayfair, and Phil Mickelson play the tough par three. The one downfall of this prime spot for the Long Island boys is that there is no "dibs" on grandstand seats, making them forfeit a frosty beverage in order to catch a glimpse of Mickelson.
Nick plans to attend the Open on Sunday with the intention of following Tiger as much as he can and then heading back to his spot on 17. Besides Tiger, Nick thinks that gonna Mickelson has a great chance to win as well as Rocco Mediate. His dark horse pick is Sergio Garcia. Only time will tell as the 2009 U.S. Open kicks off tomorrow.
I was able to catch up with a local golf fan, Nick D. of Huntington, N.Y. Nick and his buddies had been camped out on the 17th green the since 7 a.m. and were particularly excited to see Mickelson. I got a chance to talk to Nick while we watched Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Billy Mayfair, and Phil Mickelson play the tough par three. The one downfall of this prime spot for the Long Island boys is that there is no "dibs" on grandstand seats, making them forfeit a frosty beverage in order to catch a glimpse of Mickelson.
Nick plans to attend the Open on Sunday with the intention of following Tiger as much as he can and then heading back to his spot on 17. Besides Tiger, Nick thinks that gonna Mickelson has a great chance to win as well as Rocco Mediate. His dark horse pick is Sergio Garcia. Only time will tell as the 2009 U.S. Open kicks off tomorrow.
Morning Rounds
By Billy Condon
Walking back to the Media Center I bumped into last year's U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate and shook his hand and wished him luck for this week. He is sure to be another fan favorite out here.
Ok, down to business - At least for today, the weather has not been an issue out here at the Black. Sunny skies and vocal crowds have been around all day and it keeps getting more crowded. The most attention of the players playing this morning was on Phil Mickelson. Lefty has had a mass of people following him and each tee and green that he approaches people shout their support. Playing alongside Jim Furyk today, Mickelson has been chatting it up with the 2003 U.S. Open champion, and Furyk has also been speaking a fair amount with Mickelson's caddie, Jim Mackay.
Also, quite a few spectators are sporting periscopes that they bought at the 2002 U.S. Open and happen to be designed by Mickelson's father and his company, the Mickelson Group.
A few notes from walking around during this mornings practice rounds:
-They were using a large fan on the 17th green, all the rain has resulted in soft greens with the players attacking the hole locations.
-Players MUST keep the ball in or near the fairway. Jeff Brehaut got caught in the long hay on 13 and his attempt to hack it out resulted in the ball advancing two feet.
-Especially today, players are not hesitant to drop a second, third and even fourth ball and test different clubs on par threes, chipping from different lies around the green, and are investigating strategies they will take for the tricky hole locations lined up for the next four days.
-While everyone is supporting Phil full-force, the buzz around the grandstands and concession stands are on Tiger, how he will perform, and if anyone has seen him.
Walking back to the Media Center I bumped into last year's U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate and shook his hand and wished him luck for this week. He is sure to be another fan favorite out here.
Ok, down to business - At least for today, the weather has not been an issue out here at the Black. Sunny skies and vocal crowds have been around all day and it keeps getting more crowded. The most attention of the players playing this morning was on Phil Mickelson. Lefty has had a mass of people following him and each tee and green that he approaches people shout their support. Playing alongside Jim Furyk today, Mickelson has been chatting it up with the 2003 U.S. Open champion, and Furyk has also been speaking a fair amount with Mickelson's caddie, Jim Mackay.
Also, quite a few spectators are sporting periscopes that they bought at the 2002 U.S. Open and happen to be designed by Mickelson's father and his company, the Mickelson Group.
A few notes from walking around during this mornings practice rounds:
-They were using a large fan on the 17th green, all the rain has resulted in soft greens with the players attacking the hole locations.
-Players MUST keep the ball in or near the fairway. Jeff Brehaut got caught in the long hay on 13 and his attempt to hack it out resulted in the ball advancing two feet.
-Especially today, players are not hesitant to drop a second, third and even fourth ball and test different clubs on par threes, chipping from different lies around the green, and are investigating strategies they will take for the tricky hole locations lined up for the next four days.
-While everyone is supporting Phil full-force, the buzz around the grandstands and concession stands are on Tiger, how he will perform, and if anyone has seen him.
April 24, 2009
Back at Black
By Billy CondonLast week, I got the opportunity to travel to Bethpage for a photo shoot for our upcoming June/July issue of The Met Golfer. The goal was to get shots of Mike Davis, Sr. Director of Rules and Competitions for the USGA as well as Hamilton Lopes, a member of the grounds crew who is an alum of the MGA Foundation's GOLFWORKS student intern program and who will be featured in that issue as well.
I have been to Bethpage a few times in the past to conduct U.S. Public Links qualifiers and interviews for the upcoming article with Hamilton and head superintendent Craig Currier. I always got that feeling of excitement when pulling up to the welcome sign and always think back to that "Everybody Loves Raymond" episode where they sleep in their car. However, being there as all the tents and preparations are now in full swing was tremendous. Between the corporate and hospitality tents going up to walking up to the famous sign on the first tee "WARNING - The Black Course is an Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers." It reminds you of how special a place it really is. I couldn't help but take some pictures of my own.
Seeing the eager and nervous anticipation of the players waiting to tee off, (including some who disregarded the WARNING sign and made everyone aware that they are not highly skilled)
made me wish I was one of the lucky ones able to get a tee time between 8 and 1 for the chance to play the Black and for the chance to say "I was there, I went dead center on #1 and got on in two! Tiger hit his in the rough!"Between the cameras and the interviews (I got the chance to pretend to be Jimmy Roberts as I interviewed Hamilton) onlookers were trying to get the scoop as I have been that onlooker on numerous occasions. It definitely gave me a sense of importance and that in some small way, I was a part of the 2009 U.S. Open.
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