Are you heading to Bethpage for the U.S. Open this weekend? Titleist.com’s favorite spot to watch the action is from the grandstands behind the 15th tee and 16th green. If you can get a seat, it’s one of those places where you will be able to see any number of shots from the world-class field.
The 15th hole is a 459-yard Par 4. During the 2002 U.S. Open it was the hardest hole on the course and this year you can expect the same. For starters, it is straight uphill, and then it finishes at the most undulating green on the course. If a player misses the fairway here, depending on his lie, he may find himself hitting driver-wedge-wedge.
The 490-yard Par 4 16th hole comes right back down the hill at you. It is the most wind affected hole out there. The players hit out of a chute from the top of a hill. Whatever the wind is doing, it just smacks the ball when it flies past the corridor of trees. Thanks to the downhill topography of the hole, you should see some fairly short approach shots, especially from the fairway.
The green at Bethpage Black’s 17th hole.
Then to your left will be the 17th hole. It is a 207-yard Par 3, protected by heavy bunkering all the way around the “figure eight” green. There is potential to see some creative short game play all the way around this hole.
The added bonus of this vantage point is that it is not far from the clubhouse, practice areas, merchandise pavilion, and concessions. All you need to do is walk down between the 1st and 18th fairways and head over to the grandstands. The gallery areas will be soggy at best, and there is plenty of mud. By camping out at 15/16, you will see booming drives on 15, precision approaches on 16, long irons to a back pin on 17, and plenty of chipping and putting without ever having to cross Round Swamp Road.
Of course if you are dying to see the monster Par 4, the 525-yard 7th hole you’ll have to cross the road and head about as far out as you can get. That hole is the longest in U.S. Open history by 10 yards. It would be a bear of a hole if it was straight, but is a hard dogleg left, with trees protecting the corner. It might be worth slogging through the muck to see how the best of the best tackle the challenge.
Whatever your plans, enjoy your time at the 109th US Open Championship!
June 19th, 2009
Hello Everybody:
It’s Wednesday evening in New York and the night before our second major of the year gets underway. The U.S. Open is always an interesting atmosphere and this year is no different. The hustle and bustle of New York City has made it’s way to Farmingdale, New York! The crowds have been electric since the gates opened at Bethpage State Park early on Monday morning. The New Yorkers have brought something special again this year and it’s evident they are very passionate about golf. 2002 was the last year the U.S. Open was played here and it’s hard for me to believe I’ve been on Tour long enough to be back here again! In some respects 2002 seems like it was just yesterday but then I have a look in the mirror and realize some time has passed and I’ve actually become a better golfer. I am excited to have the opportunity that lies ahead and I look forward to the official starter announcing my name on the 1st tee tomorrow at 1:25pm EST and hearing the New York crowd in the background. Thanks to New York and everyone that is coming out tomorrow to support the greatest game ever played!
Until next time, take care.
-Adam
Adam tees off during a practice round at Bethpage Black on Monday.
June 18th, 2009
Michael Welch, a native of North Quincy, Mass., will be participating in his first U.S. Open … barely. Welch didn’t file his U.S. Open entry until 90 minutes before the deadline on April 29. He made it through local qualifying at the Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston, Mass., and then punched his ticket to Bethpage following a 3-under 138 at the Purchase, N.Y. sectional qualifier. By participating in the U.S. Open, Welch has now qualified for the grand slam of USGA championships in which he has been eligible (U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Amateur Public Links, U.S. Junior Amateur).
Bob Vokey takes notes as he discusses wedges with U.S. Open participant Michael Welch. Voke built 48°, 54° and 58° wedges for Michael in preparation for this week.
June 17th, 2009
One of the hottest players in golf entering this week’s U.S. Open is Nationwide Tour player Michael Sim. The now 24-year old Titleist Brand Ambassador has posted two wins, a 2nd, 3rd, and a T4 in the nine events in which he has played. In fact, he went win (Stonebrae Classic), runner-up (lost a playoff at Athens Regional Classic), win (BMW Charity Pro-Am) over three consecutive starts in April and May. One more win earns him an in-season promotion to the PGA TOUR. His $388,117 in Nationwide Tour earnings so far this year is over $135,000 more than the next player on the money list. In addition, he has played in two European Tour events, where he finished T11 at the Australian Masters and T7 at the Johnnie Walker Classic. Born in Scotland, Sim moved to Australia at age 5, and was the world’s top-ranked amateur in 2005. He made it to Bethpage after firing a 67-70 in the Rockville, Maryland Sectional Qualifier. Sim has the talent to follow in the footsteps of some of the great Australians in the game today … and the momentum to contend this week.
Titleist Tour Rep Chris Tuten worked with Michael Sim on the driving range Monday to build a back-up driver. Sim was fit into a 909D3 with 8.5° loft.
June 16th, 2009
