2009 US Open Golf Location: Farmingdale, New York
2009 US Open Golf Course: Bethpage State Park - Black Course
2009 US Open Tournament Preview:
The 2009 US Open Golf Tournament is one of the premier golfing events worldwide and will be held in Farmingdale, New York at the Bethpage Black course from the 18th June 2009. Top golfers from all over the world play this prestigious event including Tiger Woods, Stuart Appleby, Anthony Kim, and Rocco Mediate. This event has become so popular that even athletes from other sports are trying to qualify including current quarterback, Tony Romo, a past quarterback, Billy Joe Tolliver, hockey players Dan Quinn, Mike Dunham, and Grant Fuhr, as well as Erik Hanson and Chris Sabo, ex major leaguers. Of this recognizable group Quinn, Tolliver, and Fuhr have entered this year’s event as professionals.
There are certain requirements in order to qualify for the US Open Golf Tournament depending on whether you are in the professional or amateur event. Currently there are 75 golfers who have been exempt from qualifying, with the USGA allowing a record 9086 entries into this year’s event. The last US Open to be played at Bethpage Black was in 2002, with Tiger Woods taking the Championship title.
The favorites for the 2009 US Open Golf Tournament are Tiger Woods, ranked the number 1 golfer in the world, and Phil Mickelson, who is currently ranked 2nd in the world. The 2009 US Open may be one for the history books, as 3 time winner Woods goes for a record 4th title. He would join only 4 other golfers in the world who have one the event 4 times.
Golf Digest rated Bethpage Black as the sixth toughest golf course in America - and it's true, this one's a doozy. Just take a look at the finishing stretch: The Par-4 15, Par-4 16, Par-3 17 and Par-4 18 round out one of the trickiest courses in America. Holes 15 and 16 leave only a strip of green available for the initial drive, and Hole 18 only leaves a maximum green width of 32 yards.
Though a public golf course, the Bethpage Black caters to the golf elite. Many golfers from all over the country swarm the park to try their luck. Because the park is open to the public, you won't break the bank if you try to walk-in for a round of 18, but you might break your back - standing in line overnight just to get a go at one of the most coveted courses in the Northeast.
Bethpage Black is located in Nassau County, which is part of Long Island, New York. Making the 2009 US Open easy to attend for people living in New York City and the all across the upper East Coast of the United States. The Black Course is the most challenging of the five golf courses located at Bethpage and hosted the 2002 US Open golf tournament, which was won by Tiger Woods. Expect the crowds at Bethpage to be loud and rowdy, which should make the 2009 US Open one of the more memorable golf tournaments in years.