[Jay Flemma]

My sources - who in this case I rate as particularly reliable - say that talks are in the works for Bethpage Black to host the 2020 PGA and a Ryder Cup in an undetermined year.

A second source that I rate as sterling, responded to my question about that and added that it might that also explain the trade for Oakland Hills to the USGA for an Open and Amateur by saying, "that could be the correct math, Jay."

Expect further word soon, if not a press conference later this week...

[Brent Carlson]

My sources - who in this case I rate as particularly reliable - say that talks are in the works for Bethpage Black to host the 2020 PGA and a Ryder Cup in an undetermined year.

A second source that I rate as sterling, responded to my question about that and added that it might that also explain the trade for Oakland Hills to the USGA for an Open and Amateur by saying, "that could be the correct math, Jay."

Expect further word soon, if not a press conference later this week...

Bethpage would be great.  Plus the weather in August will be better with less chance of the course being waterlogged.  With Oakland Hills getting the Am I also suspected that it may be in line for another Open, but nobody could confirm.  What are you thoughts on that Jay?

[Tim Martin]

I love the idea of a "Metro" New York venue and crowd for the Ryder Cup.

[Sam Morrow]

Great, a New York crowd for a Ryder Cup. I guess that's why the rest of the world hates America.

[Jay Flemma]

My sources are sterling - I think barring some zaniness, OHCC gets the Open and the formal announcement comes next year at Olympic Club.

I'll know more before I leave ATL monday, but I believe my multiple sources that Bethpage will get the PGA and a Ryder Cup.  Sadly, I agree with Sam...Bethpage is an UGLY fanbase...everything wrong with sports fans and they think they are actually the best.  In '09 the Minnesotans put them to shame.  Bethpage fans got drunk, screamed, interjected themselves into the proceedings, and vomited too much.  Minnesotans were considerate, polite, generous, and - while vociferous - realize they are not the story.  If they are going to LI there is no reason not to have it at NGLA instead.

[Sam Morrow]

Drunk guys will walk up to Euro fans and tell their women that they will give them "their 1 wood" and that it was a pleasure dropping an a-bomb on Berlin.

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

Jay,

I couldn't disagree more.  I worked both Bethpage US Opens, the last one as a committee chair running the practice areas.  I thought the fans were great in 2009 all things considered and they had to deal with a brutal week due to weather and ticket issues.  However, I think a better comparison for a Ryder Cup would be the atmosphere Saturday in 2002.  It was awesome and even Johnny Miller said it was as close to a MLB/NFL playoff game as he has ever seen on a golf course (around 17).

One more thing that was overlooked in 2009...  It was the best group of volunteers I have ever been around.  On one of the days they suspended play late morning and there was basically no chance the players would get out on the course.  Would you believe every volunteer showed up for the late afternoon shift at the range in awful weather (it was technically open because there was no lightning)!  I was so proud of my crew who were primarily golfers that play at Bethpage.  

[Jay Flemma]

Sam is right, I foresee angry confrontations. Already one  the hooligans from '02 and '09 is calling for rowdiness at 17.  He's also a regular pretty much every wkd at the Black...he also showed up at WFW in a "Bushwood Caddie program" t-shirt, got talked to by the cops for harassing Angel Cabrera, and was seen with a stack of empty beer cups...all the while NYC tabloid writers call for "bringing local flavor" tp the tournaments at WFW and Bethpage.  In fact, one jack off fired off an airhorn as Monty was getting ready to play up to 18 on sunday.  They escorted him out quickly, but still...this stuff needs to be cracked down on sternly.

[Jay Flemma]

Jay,

even Johnny Miller said it was as close to a MLB/NFL playoff game as he has ever seen on a golf course (around 17).

  

That is EXACTLY the problem.  Golf is not football.  That day, the two bleachers traded rousing choruses of "That side sucks that side sucks!" vs "That side swallows that side swallows!"

Not funny. 

he fact that volunteers actually did the job they were expected and hired to do is not the issue...the issue is the drunk rowdies...not the many good ones who are there to be good golf fans, its the few idiots who ruin it for everyone and make us all look bad.

An atmosphere like football?  No wonder the pros hate 16 at Scottsdale...

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

Jay,

Johnny's comment was meant as a compliment.  He was pointing out the energy and excitement level of the crowd in what amounts to an amphitheatre around the closing four holes.  Go back and watch the tape of Tiger's birdie on 15, Sergio on 16 and Phil on 17 and tell me that isn't a great setting for a Ryder Cup.  Both Dan and Johnny were as excited as the crowd.

[Sam Morrow]

Geoffrey,

  Please don't take this as a shot at your volunteers but they aren't "the crowd" they are the special people who love the game so much they want to help. "The crowd" while are mostly good people are also full of drunk dumb asses.

[Jay Flemma]

Dan Hicks is as chirpy as an LSD dosed gazelle...a dreadful golf announcer.  I find him as un-listenable as Berman.

Look your loyalty to the course is worthy of respect, but I see beyond the screaming for the shots and foresee bad craziness, confrontations, and ugly behavior.  We'd have as much of an advantage at Hazeltine or the Straits course or anywhere else for that matter and we wouldn't look like ugly Americans to such a degree.  I'd rather lose the Cup and have golf win by promoting great sportsmanship than win the Cup and do violence to the spirit of golf competition.  Winning s not everything, nor is it the only thing.

[Tim Martin]

Why is their more angst about having the Ryder Cup at BPB than holding majors at Winged Foot, Shinnecock and Baltusrol? You are talking about the same fan base. I attended both the 02 and 09 Opens at BPB and thought with a minor few exceptions the fans were awesome. Just for the record there wasn`t any rowdiness or drinking going on at The Country Club? Please. No matter where you have it if you mix beer and patriotism together there will be some jerks. For a guy who lives in Queens Jay Flemma isn`t much of a booster. Quite sad the story is already written before the venue has even been awarded.

[Jay Flemma]

Tim, the fact that it's public encourages the behavior.  If they are at WFW or Shinny at least the fear of being thrown out or being seen as a boor at a classy place will be a bit of a limiting factor...but the locals who play BB think they own the place.  You didn't see cheers of "That side sucks, that side swallows" at WFW did you?

And while we're discussing it, just because I live in NYC doesn't mean I have to agree with or apologize for everything NYC does.  I may live in NYC, but that doesn't mean I have to like the Yankees or the Jets, be a limousine liberal, or follow along with everything NYC like a mindless sheep.  When NYC is right, I'll stick up for it and support, it. And when NYC is wrong, I'll fight for what's right.  That's the only way to make things better.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Jay,

Giving the 2020 open to OH would be a slap in the face to Inverness 50 miles south in Toledo, who want it badly for the 100th Anniversary of their first open.  I vote for Inverness and Toledo to get it after their recent Senior Open.

[Tim Martin]

Tim, the fact that it's public encourages the behavior.  If they are at WFW or Shinny at least the fear of being thrown out or being seen as a boor at a classy place will be a bit of a limiting factor...but the locals who play BB think they own the place.  You didn't see cheers of "That side sucks, that side swallows" at WFW did you?

And while we're discussing it, just because I live in NYC doesn't mean I have to agree with or apologize for everything NYC does.  I may live in NYC, but that doesn't mean I have to like the Yankees or the Jets, be a limousine liberal, or follow along with everything NYC like a mindless sheep.  When NYC is right, I'll stick up for it and support, it. And when NYC is wrong, I'll fight for what's right.  That's the only way to make things better.

Jay-You think a guy that has had 15 beers is going to worry about his social standing at a "classy place" like WFW but not care at BPB because it is public? Where do you come up with this stuff? I didn`t ask you to root for a sports team or have a certain political affiliation even though your last paragraph does sort of sound like a stump speech. If the Ryder Cup is held at BPB I`m sure your altruism will have you giving your press credentials away to someone who is not interested in fighting for what is right which of course is the only way to make things better.

[Jay Flemma]

A third sterling source just confirmed Bethpage PGA and Ryder Cup.  I'm getting an interview on the subject later today.

Tim, we have to agree to disagree.  I hope you're right, but remember I gave dire warnings.

[Kalen Braley]

I guess I just have left coast bias..

...but who give a flying f^&*$ about New York anyways.  I have zero desire to ever live there, although I could see myself visiting a time or two. 

[Sam Morrow]

I guess I just have left coast bias..

...but who give a flying f^&*$ about New York anyways.  I have zero desire to ever live there, although I could see myself visiting a time or two. 

When I was there last month I enjoyed it but was sick of it pretty quickly.

[Howard Riefs]

Golf Digest picks up on the Bethpage rumors...

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/blogs/local-knowledge/2011/08/gw-monday-could-a-pga-be-in-bethpages-future.html

[Charlie Visconsi]

I agreewith Tim that Inverness should get the 2020 open for the 100th anniversary of letting pros into the clubhouse; or at least the 2020 PGA...

[Alex Miller]

I think Bethpage would be a great site for the PGA, and one I hope they return to in the future.

As for the Open, I also hope Inverness gets it in 2020. Then I'd love to see WFW host in 2021(gulp) and LACC host in 2022(GULP)!

[John Blain]

I hate to tell you but Inverness had their fate sealed with Olin Browne shooting 15 under at the U.S. Senior Open. I understand the greens were soft, they can lengthen the course, etc. Firm and fast it would be terrific but there is no way the USGA is going to take the chance of having another Congressional on their hands.

No chance. None. Zero. It's unfortunate but I think that is the reality of the situation.

I honestly think Oakland Hills gets 2020 but it won't be announced until 2013 at Merion.

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