There has been a mini boom in golf course construction  on Long Island in the past few years. When one considers the relatively high value  of any property here and the pressures to build houses and commercial property, these golf courses are remarkable achievements. In the past decade, no fewer than 13 new public golf courses were built in Suffolk County. 

Two of these new courses are on the east end and within a stones throw from one another. Tall Grass is in  Shoreham and Great Rock is  in Wading River.. Tall Grass is just south of 25A and Great Rock is  a bit further east and just north of 25A. They both have beautiful club houses and unique designs. Tall Grass has the look of a links course while Great Rock is carved out of north shore woodlands. 

Tall Grass Club House

Tall Grass Club House Rear View

Tall Grass Vista

Great Rock Club House

Visit Tall Grass and Great Rock on line.

While technically not a links course, Tall Grass has the look of one. Built on a sod farm, there are almost no trees to be found on the course. This makes for a very interesting layout that offers  magnificent vistas in all directions. The club house is an architectural gem that offers full catering.

Great Rock is carved out of a north shore landscape that makes it seem as if it has always been there. Each hole has a natural feel that makes playing Great Rock feel like nature is your playing partner. 

Mark Brown wins 2002 NY State Open

With a 3 day score of 219, 6 over par, Mark Brown of Tam O'Shanter took first place in the 25th annual NY State Open held at the Bethpage Black course. This is the second NY State Open win for Mark. He won the Open for the first time in 1999. For more details - NY State Open

Suffolk County's Plan for Yaphank Courses in Jeopardy

Suffolk County has a long standing plan to build two 18 hole courses on county property in Yaphank. The plan was conceived in 1990 and includes a private/public partnership for developing these courses. A final recommendation on whether to proceed has been expected for some time now. The mini boom in private golf course construction has put Suffolk's  plan in jeopardy and those in the know say it is too close to call on whether the county proceeds. Opponents of the county plan claim that many of the new courses are operating at less than full capacity and that the county plan would exacerbate this over capacity while giving the private developer in Yaphank an unfair advantage by partnering with the government. Suffolk County Legislator Fred Towle's staff advised Long Island Golf News on July 25, 2002 that the legislative vote on whether to proceed with these courses has been put on hold.

The 19th Hole 

 2002 U.S. Open

I was worried about this one.

 Golf fans have gotten more vocal and more inclined to interact with professionals during a tournament. Compound this trend with the aggressiveness of a New York crowd on a public golf course and the potential for some embarrassing moments was high.

The whole world was watching. It was an event that received enormous media coverage and great anticipation.

Like many thousands of others I attended a practice round. I was there on Wednesday and I personally witnessed some very boorish behavior. I saw a few fans yell and scream at the pros in a manner that was beyond anything I had ever witnessed at a golf tournament. One guy thought he was being personable and amusing when he teased Joey Sindelar about his girth.

So I watched the tournament with great trepidation and a sense of dread.

I was enormously relieved by late Sunday afternoon when I finally realized that there would be no major incidents. No one yelled at Sergio to "hit it" during his excruciatingly extended waggles. They only did this during the practice rounds. There weren't too many cameras going off at the top of Tiger's swing ( only a few ).

We New Yorkers proved that although our enthusiasm was unbridled we still had the sense to be quiet when it was called for.

The Open at Bethpage had a little bit of everything - wild changes  in weather, drama, sensational play and a course that was truly magnificent.

Bethpage Black was the true winner. It is a classic course that lived up to its billing.

The rain, the smug condescension towards Long Island by a  a few of the broadcasters and the lack of last minute drama did not ruin the whole experience. I do have to admit though - one more "Rocco" joke by one particularly effete announcer, who shall remain nameless,  and I was going to climb his tower, drag him down and introduce him to a few "Rocco" friends of mine.

The 2002 U.S. Open did live up to its expectations and I was glad to be a little part of it. 

One last note - I always liked Roger Maltbie - I think he does great commentary - I ran into him when I was there on Wednesday - he was as approachable and friendly as I knew he would be.

Can't wait for Shinnecock in 2004.