United States Golf Association Open

The U. S. Open 2002 was truly a historic event. The fact that the game, for the first time ever, to be played on a public course, the Black Course, where the fee for a round of golf is $39.00. Truly in the range for any golfer. The course was in the best of conditions, 45,000 to 50,000 people a day came to watch and be a part of this event. The Merchandise Tent broke records by Sunday morning. Normally the Open provides for 43 corporate tents, but at Bethpage they accommodated 78 tents. The course was challenging for the pros.

Ann Albertson felt fortunate to have had the US Open experience by volunteering in the Merchandise Tent. A tent that took on the appearance of a fashionable department store. As a volunteer I had to purchase shirts, hat or visor, and wind breaker, (costing $145.00) and I then had the opportunity to watch the Open when I was not working my assigned time. I am not a golfer, but being a part of the enthusiastic crowd, enjoying the beauty of the course, and to walk the course with the pros was an experience I won't forget.

All were impressed with the overall organization of the event and how well it was run.

Lenny Mulqueen had the opportunity to educate Roger Maltibe, commentator for NBC Sports, on the procedure one has to go through to play the Black Course due to limited number of reservations. The sleeping in cars, having a wrist band to acknowledge you are on line. Then it rained and they had to go through this procedure the next day. Mr. Maltibe wondered, how does one explain he is gone three days to play a round of golf?

Cas Procida also made his television debut when he was also interviewed by Roger Maltibe for NBC Sports.

Information from the CPHS NEWSLETTER - July-August, 2002

The Open will return to Bethpage, Black Course in 2009.