For thirty-five years from 1951 to 1986 we raised our three boys on Wantagh, Long Island a fifteen minute drive from Bethpage State Park which has five excellent golf courses.

I enjoyed a round of golf at least once every two weeks on the Yellow, Blue, Green or Red Courses at Bethpage from 1951 until 1967. Many people have heard about the sacrifice Bethpage players had to make by arriving at the park in the wee Saturday morning hours, 5 A.M. or earlier, just to get on line to buy your ticket for an early tee time at 7, 8 or 9 o’clock. But we were young in those days and we did it.

One day in 1967 a friend said “Let’s try the Black Course today.”
“Sure, why not,” I replied.
No golf carts were used. You walked. After the second hole, numerous strokes, lots of lost balls, I said: “I’ve had it,” and returned to the clubhouse. I put my clubs in the garage when I got home and said to the Mrs. “I’m finished with golf.”
From that point on I took up tennis. I didn’t touch a golf club until I retired to Florida in 1986.

Today there is a sign at the Black Course which reads: "Warning-The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for Highly Skilled Golfers." I don't recall if that sign was there the day we played the course. If it was we blithely ignored it. I should have paid closer attention.

Watch the Open at Bethpage this weekend. Appreciate the talents of these PGA Tour players.
I know I will. But we will also witness some embarrassing high scores among a few of the pros at that diabolically tough course. It will be fun to watch.

As for me, I'll stick to playing at the Kings Point Par 3 or Executive Courses in West Delray Beach.

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The inaugural Florida Atlantic University Spring Break Golf Championship that began Friday, March 27concluded Sunday afternoon, March 29 at Gleneagles Country Club, Delray Beach. Eighty-two collegiate golfers from fourteen colleges around the country competed for recognition as “the team to beat” at this first of its kind college golf event.

Finish Player Team Scores
1 Scott Langley Illinois 65 70 70 205 -8
2 Jonathan Bowers Northwestern 67 68 72 207 -6
3 Cam Burke Eastern Michigan U. 64 75 72 211 -2
T4 Bo Hoag Ohio State Univ. 68 72 72 212 -1
T4 Jordan Payne Memphis, U. of 72 70 70 212 -1
T4 Chris DeForest Illinois 71 72 69 212 -1
T4 Lion Kim Michigan, U. of 70 75 67 212 -1
T8 Dan Woltman Wisconsin, U. of 71 72 70 213 E
T8 Luke Guthrie Illinois 66 76 71 213 E

Participating colleges include Florida Atlantic University; Ohio State University; Michigan University; University of Illinois; University of Memphis; St. Johns University; University of Missouri; Northwestern University; Notre Dame; University of Wisconsin; University of Michigan Eastern; Northern Illinois University; University of Iowa and Marquette University.

This “Spring Break” tournament idea has been worked on since May 2008 by Angelo J. Sands, Head Golf Coach of Florida Atlantic University, Pat Goss Coach for Northwestern, and Jim Brown the Coach for Ohio State. (Coach Brown is retiring after this tournament. He has coached Ohio State for the past 36 years.)

Photo: Max Scodro of Notre Dame lines up putt on par 5 12th green of Gleneagles West Course as Will Hogan of University of Missouri looks on.

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The 2,094 yard, 18 hole Kings Point Par 3 Golf Course is open to the public for the new season beginning September 22.

Located in the heart of West Delray, just west of Jog Road off W. Atlantic Avenue, enter through the Kings Point main entrance, bear right to the Par 3 Pro Shop and sign up for a round to improve your short iron game and putting prowess.

Reservations for daily golf at the Par 3 or the Kings Point Executive Golf Course can be made by calling Kings Point Tee time number, 561-638-2719. Green fees are attractively moderate.

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