NOTE: New Registration Deadline is September 25th!
TO: Metropolitan Golf Writers Association Members
FROM: MGWA Activities Committee
RE: Tuesday, October 13th, 2026, Bethpage Black course, 99 Quaker Meeting House Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735 – Scott Matson, Parks Director; Suzanne Friedrichs, Executive Administrator; Andy Wilson, Grounds Superintendent, 516-249-0701. Justin Koff, PGA pro,
516-249-4040. www.nysparks.state.ny.us
9:00-10:30 am — Bag drop/check-in, practice time
10:45 am – Assemble at carts (east side, rear of clubhouse), final instructions
11:00 am – Proceed to holes, shotgun start for golf
3:30-5:00 pm – There is no formal luncheon. Optionally, many golfers are planning to stay after golf (3:30-5:00 approximate time) and have food & beverage in the Public House bar/restaurant. MGWA golfers will pay for their own food & beverage. Prizes will be awarded here after golf.
BLACK COURSE: The site of the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens, 2012 & 2016 PGA Tour Barclays, the 2019 PGA Championship and the 2025 Ryder Cup matches (plus the 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2033 PGA Championship), Bethpage Black is considered one of America’s best and toughest public challenges. The course is difficult and is for walkers only.
NOTE: Apologies, but there is NO option to play the Red course this year.
RIDE TO HOLES: Golfers will ride to starting tees from assembly area (except for Hole No. 1), leave carts, walk for golf, then use carts to return to clubhouse after round is completed. For those requesting Bethpage pull carts, they will be waiting at your starting tee box.
CADDIES: Choices are to carry your own bag or pull/push your own cart. Or you may request a Bethpage pull cart on the signup form. Also, you may request a caddie. The caddie fee is $150 per bag (plus gratuity at your option). Comparable caddie fees at clubs in the nearby area are $200 per golfer, and that is walking or riding. NOTE: Caddies do not carry single. Please arrange to share with another golfer. You must share a caddie who will carry two bags.
TEE BOXES: We request that everyone playing the Black course use the YELLOW (forward) tees. This helps speed pace of play and presents plenty of challenge for all skill levels. The par-71 Black course BLUE tees are 7,486 yards with a course rating of 78.0 and a slope rating of 155; WHITE tees are set at 6,757 yards with a 74.6 course rating and 149 slope. Again, we request that everyone play the YELLOW tees (6,207-plus yards) which have a course rating of 72.0 and a 144 slope. There are NO more shorter tees for men or women. Highly skilled golfers: It’s up to you.
PIN PLACEMENTS: The pins on the greens will be set using the placement chart from last year’s Ryder Cup Sunday singles matches.
COMPETITION: Nearest to the pin, Hole No. 14. We will go several Nearest places deep with prizes.
RSVP: Fee is $125, which covers NYS green fee, cart use to holes and donation to MGWA charities. All entries are handled online via charge card. Please log on to metgolfwriters.org, then click on the section for “Meetings & Outings.” Note: New signup deadline is 1:00 pm, Friday, September 25th. No refunds after September 25th. See our “no-show” and cancellation policy at metgolfwriters.org. For any questions, please contact Chuck Stogel, MGWA Activities Committee, chstogel@aol.com, 914-428-6111.
WAITING LIST: Should our field that is signed up to play golf reach our maximum limit, a waiting list will be started and golfers who are placed on the waiting list will be notified.
DIRECTIONS: LIE to Exit 44-S (Seaford/Oyster Bay Expressway). Proceed 3.5 miles south to Exit 8 (Powell Avenue). Turn left and follow signs to course.