Bethpage Warning Sign

[Phil Carlucci]

Got a question from a reporter who's received some conflicting information on when the "Warning" sign at Bethpage Black was first put in place. 

Does anyone have any definitive information on its origin or recall how far back they've seen it in front of the first tee?

[Mike Sweeney]

Phil,


I think it was there in 1989 when I first played the course. Here is an article from 1997, pre-Rees renovation, that references the sign, so my guess is it was there in 1989:


https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/26/nyregion/aces-and-duffers-alike-dream-of-us-open-on-a-course-in-bethpage.html


"Jeffrey Brooks shrugged off the sign on the first tee of the Black Course at Bethpage State Park warning all but the most advanced golfers to stay away."

[Michael Whitaker]

$25 in 1997!

[Steve_ Shaffer]

One of my former college roommates at Penn State, now deceased, was from Syosset. He graduated high school in 1962. He played Black many times in high school and told me stories about the less than desirable conditions there but for $5 he was ok with that. I recall him mentioning something about the sign. I'm surprised there's no mention of the sign's history somewhere.

Phil Young advised me that Dr. Bill Quirin, the historian for the Met,  advised him that his estimate of when the sign appeared was mid 1950s.

[Brian Finn]

I first played the Black in 1992. At that time, the sign was very visibly displayed behind the desk where you checked in and paid. The desk was immediately inside the front center door, on the right side, with Chuck Workman’s pro shop directly across. Back then, you could take your bag through the clubhouse, while your spikes crackled on the paved floor.

[Gene Greco]

It was there when I first played the Black in 1972

[Phil Carlucci]

Phil Young advised me that Dr. Bill Quirin, the historian for the Met,  advised him that his estimate of when the sign appeared was mid 1950s.

Thanks for the input.  Those two were going to be my first contacts to ask, but the guy who reached out to me had already heard from them, and like you said their estimates went back into the '50s.  Of course, he then heard from someone who claims he physically installed the sign in the '80s, which obviously conflicts with many people's accounts and would seem inaccurate.

[Jay Mickle]

[/font][/color] A note from a friend: Hi Jay - I am not a "member" of Golf Club Atlas, but I read/stalk  it just about day.   I just saw the thread about Bethpage warning sign...and I can add a little something to the discussion.   I grew up in Farmingdale, and also started playing golf at Bethpage in 1972 (eighth grader)   The Black was mine (and others, favorite course).  It had the least wait times on Saturday and Sunday !   Anyway, the sign was there...but the wording was different, and I'll never forget it:  Back then it was:   "The Black is an extremely difficult course which is not recommended for beginners"   I have no idea when it was changed, in that after I graduated college in 1980 and moved away I didn't get back much.   Fee free to share this with the GCA folks. [/t] Robert Rendely

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[Steve Lang]

so maybe the dude in the 1980's installed a replacement sign with slightly different wording?

[Emile Bonfiglio]

Who ever designed the current version is due some royalty $$ 


We aren't even week of the event and I'm so sick of seeing this sign. Who would want this on a shoe?

[Kalen Braley]

Speaking of bethpage..


https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/golf/ct-spt-john-daly-cart-pga-championship-20190507-story.html


John Daly approved to use a cart in next week's PGA Championship, the 1st do so in a major since Casey Martin

[Pete_Pittock]

Played golf today with someone who played Bethpage Black many times during all of the 1960s and he sign was there all the times he played.

[BHoover]

Speaking of bethpage..


https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/golf/ct-spt-john-daly-cart-pga-championship-20190507-story.html


John Daly approved to use a cart in next week's PGA Championship, the 1st do so in a major since Casey Martin

Daly needs to go away...as soon as possible.

[V. Kmetz]

Speaking of bethpage..

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/golf/ct-spt-john-daly-cart-pga-championship-20190507-story.html

John Daly approved to use a cart in next week's PGA Championship, the 1st do so in a major since Casey Martin

Daly needs to go away...as soon as possible.

Respectfully... no way, we actually need a few more like him. The image of Daly in Evel Knieval pants, stamping the parking brake to a grass fart by the 15th green, taking a last long mega pull of the Marlboro Red, a swig of a Champions Club stadium cup-sized adult beverage, is worth much more than all the Bryson DeChambeau sextant adjustments or Justin Thomas' aim-point routines.


cheers  vk

[corey miller]

Glad to see the PGA is following the law but do wonder what reasonable accommodation would be made for someone with ADHD and needed extra time to reasonably play a course? 

[Howard Riefs]

Golf.com is on the case. And struck out on the origin.


https://www.golf.com/news/features/2019/05/13/bethpage-black-sign-mysterious-history-iconic-warning-sign/


“Not a single person knows,” said Bethpage historian Philip Young, who wrote a biography of Bethpage Black architect A.W. Tillinghast as well as two other books about the Black Course (with another on the way). Young, who is 65, grew up on Long Island and has logged more than 400 rounds on the Black Course. “I have searched high and low, up and down, every which way.”