2002 NY State Open Champion 

 Mark Brown 

LIGN: Mark, 2002 was the second time that you won the NY State Open. This must have been special for you considering that just a few short weeks earlier the US Open was held on the same course, Bethpage Black. How special was it for you?

 Mark: It was  a really special week for me.  A buddy from Massachusetts called after I won and said, "what does Tiger Woods and Mark Brown have in common.....they both won an Open on Bethpage Black in 2002!"  Just the sound of that gives me tingles. It was a very demanding week.  Patience was the thought of the week, knowing the course was very different from previous years.

 LIGN: Other than reducing the height of the rough a bit were there any major changes made for the NY State Open after the US Open? Wasn’t it pretty much the same track in terms of layout and yardage?

 Mark:  There were a couple of changes made in length. We played holes 10 & 12  one tee up from where they played the Open.  We played the 7th hole from the back tee as a par 5.  For the US Open hole #7 was a par 4 from the middle tee.   Everything else was about the same. The greens were between 11-12 on the stimpmeter.  I think during the US Open the greens were running around 14.

 LIGN: Did you attempt to qualify for the US Open in 2002? 

Mark: Yes, I made it through local qualifying at Fox Hill with a 71 (which was tied for low of the day).  At the Sectionals at Brae Burn and Century I was paired with Bob Tway and Skip Kendall.  What a treat it was to play with these guys.  Although I didn't have my best stuff that week, it was a good learning experience playing alongside two veterans of the PGA Tour. 

LIGN: The State Open returns to the Black Course every year unlike in the past when courses were rotated. How has this affected the field and the public’s interest? 

Mark: I think the field is strong every year.  Everyone wants the opportunity to play Bethpage Black under tournament conditions.  It's like playing Augusta for local pros.  Local qualifying for the NY State Open used to be 74 or 75.  In order to qualify now you have to shoot 72 or 73.  I am just glad to have a 10 year exemption.  That qualifying is very nerve racking! I think the public likes to see how local pros can play on Bethpage Black compared to the best players in the world.  Playing Bethpage gives our members the opportunity to walk down the same fairways that Tiger Woods just walked down less than a month ago.  It's exciting for them as well.

 LIGN: On the regular PGA Tour there have always been those players whose games were well suited to the difficult conditions at Open courses. Andy North, Hale Irwin and Larry Nelson come to mind. What is about your game that has helped you to achieve such success at the State Open? 

Mark: My length off the tee is one of my best attributes to playing well at Bethpage.  It allows me to hit shorter irons into the greens.  I might be able to hit a 5 iron to a par four where someone else might have to go into the hole with a wood. Also the greens at Bethpage were in perfect shape which allowed me to get my long putter on a roll. 

LIGN: Speaking of the PGA tour, now that you are a multiple winner of the State Open are you tempted to follow in the footsteps of previous State Open winners such as George Burns, Jim Albus and Joey Sindelar who have gone on to successful careers as touring professionals? 

Mark: Boy that sounds great but in order for me to achieve that I would have to dedicate myself to practicing and playing full time. Right now I have a great job at Tam O’Shanter and the board and members couldn't treat me  better.  Maybe I'll shoot for the Senior Tour!

 LIGN: Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your thoughts. One last question before we go; How are you hitting them this year and can we look for you again at this year’s State Open?  

Mark: I have had some low rounds down here this winter in Florida.  However, who knows who will show up that week. Although I know the NY State Open has always brought out the best in me and I'll be looking forward to this year’s tournament. 

Mark Brown is the Head Professional at Tam O’Shanter in Brookville. He  played his earliest golf at Presidents Golf Course in Quincy, Ma.  He went on to play baseball in Florida at Eckerd College.   We contacted him over the winter for this interview while he was in Florida. He responded immediately and was as accessible and friendly as those who know him told us he would be. We thank Mark for his cooperation and we wish him the best at this year’s Open.

One last note: Mark is a pretty modest fellow and did not mention exactly how long he is off the tee so we checked. Our sources tell us he averages about 290!!!