Doug,
The aerial that is on the clubhouse wall was taken in 1938, after all renovations were done. This is the only aerial that Bethpage knew existed and was the one that was supplied to Rees Jones for him to work off for his restoration/renovation prior to the Open.
In their book "Gleanings from the Wayside," Rick Wolffe & Bob Trebus, on page 154, actually came across another aerial, this one taken in 1935. They also had a copy of the Bethpage Developmental Plan of 1935, something that was always thought by those at Bethpage to be inaccurate. Almost no one ever realized that these two photos existed, and showed the significant differences to a course that everyone felt had been untouched from the beginning.
If you compare the aerial to the plan, you will find that all the bunkers and features of the 4 courses match, and that there are some remarkable differences when compared to the aerial taken just 3 years later. In fact, on the previous page, 152, in the upper left-hand corner there is a photograph of the September, 1938 Sam Snead, Jimmy Hines, Paul Runyon, & Al Brosch exhibition match. Notice the view down the first hole & you will see that the bunkers have been removed & very mature trees planted in their place.
Besides the 1st hole, you will see that the remarkable large waste bunker on #5 was not in the design nor was it built until later. There were NO bunkers at the top of the hill of the 6th fairway, and the POND that was planned to be in front of #18 and is labeled on the developmental plan (only seen when viewed in the blown-up one at Bethpage) and labelled as "drainage pond/winter skating rink" was NEVER put in. There were other subtle changes in this time frame.
The conclusion after seeing these is that this proves that Burbeck DIDN'T design the Black, because if he did, why these changes immediately after it opened and Tillinghast left? It also explains many of the unique aspects of Ron Whitten's incorrect argument that Burbeck designed the course(s) at Bethpage. This explains why his son remembers his father working on blueprints of the Black & why his wife could feel that he deserved some of the design credits. It also explains why he never claimed credit for the design, down to the day he died, as he knew he hadn't.
Did he do these changes in collaboration with Tillinghast? No one can say for certain at this moment. Did Tillinghast ever return to Bethpage after 1935? Well he did write an article about Bethpage, Burbeck and the Black from the perspective of one who had just seen it in person. He also was on Long Island during his PGA Course Consultation Tour in September of 1936, and may have consulted with Burbeck & given him guidance then. The real answer though is that we just don't know.
One thing is for certain, the changes made at this time DID IMPROVE the course and so some credit, if only in a small way, should be given to Burbeck for the work done. I believe that this credit is similar to what should be given to Craig Currier, the current superintendent. Craig has made some subtle additions, a front bunker left on #4 to restore where it originally was. The NEW 5th tee that he put in himself with the idea of adding some length for the 2002 Open. The work he was supposed to have started THIS WEEK on the par-three 14th, his design idea & approved by the USGA & Rees Jones during a tour of the Black on 10/28. (I had the privilege of riding along during this and I think it is going to be WELL received along with some other proposed changes with the Open in mind that are awaiting approval.)
I am hoping to be able to post a detailed discussion of the original changes to the course back in the 30's, some other changes made from 40-70, the renovation changes in the 80's, & finally all of the proposed suggested changes that will add over 150 yards, change one green complex & not involve any work at all from 15-18!
Mike Benham, the tree is the large maple at the right corner of the fairway where it turns. In the picture you can see a player walking past & just to the right of it.