WARNING

“The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers”

Thus reads a notice outside the famous (or notorious) U.S. Open venue, the Bethpage Black course, which logically should deter 90% of golfers from setting foot on the course. Yet golfers from New York and from all over the world are happy to queue up in their cars for 24 hours for the opportunity to inflict 5 hours of pain on themselves.  A closer look at this New York State owned public facility reveals a magnificently organized operation that should be the envy of the Costa del Golf. Bethpage Black is one of five golf courses comprising Bethpage State Park, and between them, they attract more than 700,000 green fee payers annually, despite losing many days to heavy rain. Green fees range from 36$ for a round on the short yellow course, to a mere 100$ on weekdays, or 120$ at weekends for Bethpage Black. New York residents who are registered as members pay 50% less. Average green fees between the five courses are approximately 70$ per round, which equates to about 50€ per round. All five courses are constantly fully booked and New York State makes a handsome profit. Could there be a moral here?

Tags: Black Course, Costa del Golf, US Open