What you need to know about Bethpage Black

As it prepares to host the U.S. Open for the second time, Bethpage Black remains unique among golf's great venues. Here's a quick look at some of the many things that make the facility so special for golfers of all degrees of skill.

By Sara Young, Special to PGATOUR.COM

This week, Bethpage State Park will host the 109th U.S. Open, with 156 players set to take on its famed Black Course. The only other time the U.S. Open was played at Bethpage Black was in 2002, when Tiger Woods finished 3 under -- the only score under par -- to beat Phil Mickelson by three strokes.

In addition to Tiger’s memorable victory, here are a few things you should know about Bethpage Black:

1. Muni on the Map
The Black Course, the nation’s largest public golf facility, became the first public course to host the U.S. Open. The United States Golf Association was so pleased with the results in 2002 that just a few months later, it announced its return to Bethpage for this year.

"The [2002] Open at the Black Course was a resounding success in every respect, including the smooth and effective partnership we enjoyed with the state of New York,” USGA Executive Director David Fay said at the time. “I have every expectation that the 2009 sequel will build on the energy and excitement of the truly great sporting event."

A year ago, Torrey Pines, north of San Diego, Calif., became the only other public course to host the U.S. Open. The concept of using public courses for majors has gained such popularity that the USGA has scheduled another public course, the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Chambers Bay near Puget Sound in Washington, to host the U.S. Open in 2015.

2. Tailgate for Tee Times
Following Tiger’s win in 2002, it became unrealistic to simply show up at Bethpage and expect to play the same day. Due to the high demand for tee times and the record traffic that travels through the Long Island municipal course, getting on the course has become increasingly difficult.

Since the Black Course operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, it often requires an overnight tailgate or campout in the nearby numbered parking lot to secure a tee time. Many die-hard golf enthusiasts have at times camped out for more than 48 hours to ensure a round on the Black.

Bethpage State Park is certainly among the busiest golf courses in the world. Since the first of its five courses opened in 1932, more than 14 million rounds have been played there.

3. Renovation and Rejuvenation
Designed by famed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast (who also created Winged Foot and Baltusrol) and opened in 1936, the Black Course is considered one of golf’s toughest tests. To prepare for the 2002 U.S. Open, the course was closed to public play in July of 1997 and an extensive renovation program began. The renovations were designed by noted golf course architect Rees Jones, who has assisted the USGA with changes to numerous U.S. Open venues in the past.

Jones’ work ranged from revamping tee boxes to installing new bunkers and drainage systems. The final cost for all work came to approximately $2.7 million and it hasn’t stopped there. Further adjustments were made for the 2009 U.S. Open, including wider fairways, altered bunkers, and the installation of new teeing grounds. And as always, the greens will be firm and fast.

4. Demanding Distances
The course has also been lengthened by 212 yards since 2002 and will reach an intimidating 7,426 yards this time. The increased yardage will make it the second-longest course in U.S. Open history, behind only Torrey Pines’ 7,643 yards last year.

Three of Bethpage Black’s par 4s exceed 500 yards (Nos. 7, 10 and 12). The seventh hole will be the longest par 4 in U.S. Open history at 525 yards. This year will also mark the first time that a par-5 hole -- the 517-yard fourth -- will be shorter than a par-4 hole (the seventh). The longest hole on the course is a 605-yard par-5 13th.

The length of U.S. Open courses has long been a topic of debate among players. Some find the course thrilling, while others are intimidated by its length and overall setup. One thing’s for sure -- with holes as long and testy as No. 7, there will be plenty of intrigue.

5. Graduated Rough = Risk/Reward
For years, the U.S. Open has been known for its impossibly high and difficult rough. This year the USGA designed the rough at Bethpage Black to “fit the penalty with the crime” but utilizing the concept of a graduated rough.

This tactic is not new to the U.S. Open, but it’s definitely a welcome change to Bethpage Black. The rough will range from 1¾ to 6 inches deep and its three cuts will penalize a player the farther offline his ball goes.

The USGA is trying to allow for slight forgiveness off the tee. With the shortest cut closest to the fairway, a ball that gets an unlucky kick or just happens to roll into that first cut still can attempt a desirable shot. On the other hand, the third cut that ranges from 4 to 6 inches in height will severely penalize errant shots.

"We want to introduce more risk/reward, and that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be an easier test of golf,” said Mike Davis, the USGA’s Senior Director of Rules and Competitions. “We want to give the players a choice. Do you want to play conservative, or do you want to be more aggressive? And if you go to the latter and you pull it off, we want you to be rewarded with a birdie, perhaps even an eagle. But if you do try it, and you don’t pull it off, we want to see you penalized.”