Next week, Keegan Bradley will not start Bethpage Black. In fact, Bradley will be one of the most popular figures in the country, as he will lead the American team against Europeans in the 45th Ryder Cup.
But nearly two decades ago, Bradley was just a college child trying to squeeze in time to one of the best, most difficult and most famous golf courses.
Bradley, last star of golf magazineShe recently sat down to talk about his path to Bethpage, and she involved to look back on his days of Golf College in the near St. John and Southwales in the Black Course.
Black is closed on Monday for maintenance, but at that time Bradley and some of his teammates – with a little help from the supervisor at the time – would steal at 13 holes on the Round Road Street.
“The inner loop you’re on the other side of the road so no one can see you when you’re there,” Bradley said. “And when you cross the road from 14 to 15, you are on the other side where the club is and people can see you anywhere. So we would play in the inner loop, so no one saw you because the course was closed; I’m sure you shouldn’t do it. It was just terrible not to go there and play them (remaining) holes.
“Finally, my old year, my friend George and I, we went and played it and got into so much trouble. It was really bad. That’s so crazy as I’ve ever seen my coach. Finally my old year we were like, screw it, we have to go to do it – and it was ugly.”
A police officer was even called in place to see the report of players in the course. Bradley calls him a “big mistake” now, but he says there is only something about Bethpage Black that is too seductive to ignore.
“People don’t understand, if you are not from New York, how important Bethpage Black is for the locals,” he said. “The winged foot is great, Shinnecock is amazing, but if you talk to a real New Yorker, Bethpage is the home course.”
For more from Bradley, read The story of the features of Dylan Dothier hereand look YouTube video with full length With Bradley below.
“>>
