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Bethpage Black
by Dominique Bois
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1258 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2003-03-26 |
59,718,918 bytes |
70 |
7216 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
REAL |
PARKLAND |
BethpageBlack_2003.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| 4c70bf44f53a4c368058a3b23f1502b0 |
c1e776dd3ccf28d1d587dd710c9b8de5 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Reviewed by Simon Kent April 2003
Designer: Dominique Bois is not known for the amount of courses he released from the APCD, but rather the quality of the ones that he has. His past releases include Golf Club des Volcans (LC Score of 84, 1 Gold Star), Broken Arrow Championship Course (LC Score of 90, 4 Gold Stars) and the previous version of this course, Bethpage Black (LC Score of 95, 5 Gold Stars). By re-creating Bethpage Black for Links, Dominique has allowed people to actually play a U.S. Open Championship Course as close to the real thing as possible and as a Links player, that is truly something to be thankful for. Bethpage Black 2003 really does show the amazing amount of skills that Dominique has acquired with the APCD, and who knows what to expect next from this truly talented designer.
Course History: Home of the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open, Bethpage Black is one of the most difficult, but highly rated courses in the United States. The Course is located in Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale, New York, and features five 18 Hole Courses, which on average sees 300,000 rounds played on all of the courses throughout the year. Designed by A.W. Tillinghast, the Black Course is the most difficult of the five courses and is advised to only be played by low handicap golfers. With a Slope of 144, Rating of 75.4, and Championship Distance of 7295yds, the Black Course along with its thick rough, numerous bunkers, narrow fairways and tight greens, is an extremely difficult test for any golfer, let alone the 2002 U.S. Open Championship Winner with a score of 277, Tiger Woods. More information can be found by calling this number (516) 249-0700 or through http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/nysparks/golf.cgi?p+7.
Playability: Before starting out on my round, I had to remember that this is a U.S. Open Championship Course for a reason, and not to expect too low of a score. For that reason I made sure to have the Tournament Options turned on, and importantly I selected a sound script to suit the occasion, so that I could have actual commentators giving feedback and commentary on my shots, as I played a round on the 2002 and future 2009 venue of the U.S. Open. From the outset of my round I knew I was going to be in for a tough fight with the course, as I was +3 after only two holes, after slamming my drive into a tree off the tee on Hole 2, to only travel a total distance of 22m.
Basically if you wish to shoot under par, you will need to put all your drives in the fairway, stay out of the bunkers and especially the rough, as the designer has truly re-created the feel of 'U.S. Open Rough', and if you do happen to stray with your shots, Par will truly be a saving grace, as Bogeys should be expected when playing a round at this course. This course is best enjoyed with Tournament Options turned on, and is a great course to play Online against your friends, as it will test out any skill level and swing type. For me when playing this course I really felt like I was at the beach, because my shots just kept on landing in the bunkers time and time again, and along with missing putts to save Par on numerous holes, my round was very tough to get through. I had 78% Fairways and 72% Greens in Regulation, with a total of 29 Putts and thankfully shot an Even Par Round of 70 with a long birdie putt dropping on the 18th Green. The course itself is a difficult test for any Links golfer, due to the numerous amounts of bunkers and long distance for a course with a Par of 70, and if you shoot Even Par or better, you really have played a thoughtful and skilled round of Golf.
The Course: Bethpage Black is one of the most highly rated courses in the United States, but not because of its scenery or easy holes, but rather due to difficulty it presents to even the best of golfers. The Black Course's signature is certainly the numerous amount of bunkers spread around the course, but one of the toughest tests, even for the professionals, is the 'U.S. Open Rough'. Because of these factors, this is truly one of the toughest rounds of Golf you will ever experience playing Links, and if you are game enough to play in Windy Conditions, expect your drives to miss the fairways and to end up in the bunkers. Either way when playing a round at Bethpage Black you will find that 'Eagles' are practically impossible, 'Birdies' are miracles, 'Pars' are your saving grace, 'Bogeys' are what you come to expect and 'Other' is the phrase that you never want to hear in Golf, but more than likely will, on one of the greatest courses you will ever play in Links.
Favourite Hole: Surrounded by bunkers and rough, crafted by an expert designer, and a 'look' to take your breath away, Hole 17 is certainly one of the best looking, but yet difficult holes on the Black Course and escaping with a Par would certainly be a good score on this hole (Screenshot 5 and 6).
Technically: The course comes equipped with the usual outstanding Cameo and Splash Screen, which is taken from a photo of the actual Black Course, but it's the features 'in' the course, that make this course a stand-out from any other. The textures used throughout the course combined with the seaming are of a very professional nature, but the bunker work is something that all designers need to admire, and all players need to wonder at (Screenshot 3 and 7). When comparing them to the bunkers found at the real course, they are just as extremely well sculpted, lipped and seamed, and are as much a mirror image as what you would find if playing a round on the actual course, and all testament to Dominique's marvellous APCD skills. The 3D objects included such as the magnificent houses, seats, and marquee tents were well done, and of course the designer made no exception to the rule, with the traditional addition of custom flags. The planting is exceptional, especially the long grass in the rough, and with the fairway having a very smooth roll to it, the course overall is very well done, and as close as you could get to the same conditions found in real life.
Other: Due to a U.S. Open being played at Bethpage Black, of course each hole has been handicapped, and includes hole previews that can be found at the actual course. After playing this course, if you still find yourself having problems with how well he has actually re-created the conditions found in real life, then it might be beneficial to go and play a round at the course yourself, as then you will truly admire the work the designer has done with re-creating Bethpage Black for Links.
Download Value: Disregarding what internet speed you have, this is an 'all-time' must have course, and being able to play a U.S. Open Championship Course on your own computer, is not an experience that should be passed up. The course will definitely be staying on my computer, and will be played regularly, as it truly is a Tournament Course that everybody should have.
Course Statistics: Links 2003 Course, Par 70, Real Parkland, 4 Tees, Distance: Back- 6590m, Forward- 6179m, Par 3's- 4, Par 4's- 12, Par 5's- 2. |
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