Some of the course improvement projects at Bethpage Black this summer.

Going a little above and beyond on a school project.

Hired as an intern at Bethpage State Park for five months, my objective was to gain as much experience possible to become the best turfgrass manager possible upon graduating university.

Bethpage State Park Maintenance crew is a staff of roughly 65. Under the leadership of Andrew Wilson and Kevin Carroll I had two great mentors to look up to while I completed my internship. I owe both of them credit for providing me with such an involved internship and teaching me as much as they did. I’m confident in saying that they are both great leaders and representatives for the turfgrass industry.

The concentration of the work I completed was on The Black Course in preparation for a PGA tournament; this includes pesticide mixing/application, irrigation, fertilization, and even management experience.

Bethpage State Park consists of:
Recreational areas: 12 indoor tennis courts, two baseball diamonds, basketball court, beach volleyball court, cross-country ski trails and horseback riding trails, police shooting range, polo field, picnic / BBQ areas, and five public golf courses.

The Black Course- PGA quality course, enormous bunkers, very long and difficult.
- A.W. Tillinghast design
- Opened 1936
- Host of the 2002 and 2009 US Open
- Site of The Barclays 2012, the first stop of the FedEx cup playoffs.
- One of the toughest public courses in the world
- 7,426 yards, par 70/71

The Red Course- Seems to fall under the radar because of The Black Course, but it’s a great test for even the most skilled players.
- A.W. Tillinghast Design
- Opened mid 1930′s w/ Blue Course
- Championship public course
- Annual host of the Long Island Open
- Some holes used for The Barclays Corporate Course
- Par 70, 7014 Yards

The Green Course- The management plan at The Green has great results while also exhibiting a compassionate output on mother nature.
- Devereux Emmet design
- Formerly Lenox Hills Country Club (1923)
- Site of long term turf research
- Uses only reduced risk pesticides
- Par 71, 6,124 Yards

The Blue Course- Medium length course with numerous doglegs.
- A.W. Tillinghast Design
- The only course with full cart paths
- Some holes were also used for The Barclays Corporate Course
- Par 72, 6638

The Yellow Course- A short but fun track to play, long hitters can take advantage of short par fours and fives.
- Designed by Alfred Tull
- Opened in 1958
- Considered the easiest of the five courses
- Contains some original Tillinghast holes from the old Blue Course
- Par 71, 6,324 Yards

Focus returns to school now and researching where I want to live, and work, post graduation. I couldn’t haven’t chosen a better place to complete my internship and I am excited to see where my career takes me next.

To see photos from this internship, click on the pic of Tiger below.

Bethpage Video