Bethpage, Other Northeast Venues Confident They Are Ready For May PGA

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GolfDigest.com's Joel Beall checks in with several northeast venues on the PGA Championship schedule a year out from the even't first May playing date.

Bethpage agronomy director Andy Wilson says all is well, other than this week's weather. 

“We came out of this winter fine," he said. "We are a little behind a typical spring, but the course is green and the park has a spring look to it.”

Wilson admits the rain, snow and cold complicated matters, and mentions the trees aren’t as far along in leafing out as usual. However, all systems are operational. “The greens, fairway and tees are ready for the PGA,” Wilson says. “The playing surfaces are very good right now. We will have to change some practices in taking care of rough, especially high rough, to leave certain areas undisturbed in the fall to have a good look in the spring.”

A recent visit by Golf Digest confirmed as much. Contrasted against other Northeastern facilities, both public and private, you’d be forgiven if thinking Bethpage was sheltered in a dome the past six months.