 The Dv8orJust call me Dong Suck Oh, M.D.Premium join:2001-08-09 Denver, CO | reply to pro7070
Re: [Other] For Golfers I'm not a golfer, but from watching the 2002 Open, the Black Course is phenomenally difficult. It's unlike any course I've ever seen. The fairways can be very narrow, with trees in the most challenging of places, and huge valleys. The technical difficulty of the course makes it a joy to watch professionals take on, and it made you appreciate so much more how good Tiger is when he won in 2002. The New York crowd also brought an extra enthusiasm and energy to the crowd that some might look at as disruptive, but to many it was almost welcome. The 2002 Open was one of the most unique tournaments in history, and I hope the 2009 Open is similar.
One of the other things that makes it so special is that it's a truly public course. There are no restrictions as to who can play it, and is as affordable and accessible as any course gets. No other major tournament has been played on a truly public course. The lines start the night before, and they camp out in their cars, like if you were waiting for concert tickets or something. I think an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond (a show I despise) was about this. To have a major PGA event on the Black really helps to blur the line a little between the elitism of the PGA and the average guy going out with his buddies to shoot 18, although there is a sign warning you how incredibly difficult the Black is to play. There's three other courses at Bethpage State Park that are less difficult. -- You're so vain... I bet you think this post is about you. |