Max Adler's Golf World story this week about getting on Bethpage Black, site of next month's U.S. Open, tells the story of the "gray" market in Black tee times.
The first return of a Google search for the phrase "get on bethpage black" is nygolfshuttle.com. This company, which boldly accepts all major credit cards, states, "If camping out is not an option, the civilized way to tee up at this course is to let NY Golf Shuttle handle all the necessary arrangements to secure your tee time." Service is provided for a number of metropolitan area layouts, including all five Bethpage courses, but prices are most shocking for the Black, ranging from $850 for a single to $450 per person for a foursome. This includes black car transportation to and from New York City. Oh, and tack on a $50 surcharge for non-New York State residents.
Adler, who, by the way, is trying to earn legitimate access to the Black as an Open qualifier, writes of his own experience obtaining a gray-market time. It's worth a read.
One California reader who played the course offers a different tale altogether:
Dear Editor,
In contrast to Mr. Adler's experience with NY Golf Shuttle (Bethpage Gray (Market), May 25), I found Bethpage delightfully accessible using the the traditional method--showing up as a single. In August, '06, I flew a red-eye to join my wife at a Manhattan trade show and just had to try my shot at the infamous Black. Driving a rental car straight from JFK, I stepped into the tee-time line about 7:00 AM; I paid $75 for my out-of-state, Wednesday morning green fee and was given a slot with about 3 hours to kill. To my surprise, the other Bethpage courses (the only ones which allow carts) seemed in much greater demand to the locals. After breakfast in the coffee shop, I hit a bucket of balls and putted. When I went to the starter with my ticket to see if I could get out any sooner, he moved me up to join a threesome at 9:30--2 Long Islanders and another tourist like me. We had a great day walking the Black, with no sleeping in cars and no scalping. Was it worth it?....................Priceless!Gregg Hopkins
Healdsburg, CA
As someone who has played the Black several times-once on my wedding day-I can only add, get on it as you will. You won't be sorry.
--Bob Carney
(Illustration: John Euland)
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