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Sunday afternoon's orientation session at the maintenance facility at Bethpage was a standing-room only affiar.
Sunday afternoon's orientation session at the maintenance facility at Bethpage was a standing-room only affiar.
Bethpage's maintenance facility as seen from the top of bleachers behind the green at No. 2. The white tent you see in the middle is the main gathering spot for the crew this week.
False alarm! We were told this was Tiger Woods playing a few practice holes on Sunday afternoon. But this was Nathan Tyler, a Gateway Tour player who qualified for the Open. Tiger was a group back.
The par-3 third hole on the Black Course, directly out the back of the Bethpage maintenance facility.
And here he is! Our first sighting of Mr. Tiger Woods along with his caddy and fan of expensive photographic equipment, Stevie Williams.
Even before the course official opened for U.S. Open week, Tiger was drawing a crowd. Those are ESPN cameramen.
I was already asked whether this was taken with a telephoto lens or was I really this close. I was really that close.
Tiger was playing with Eric Axley (in the black) on this day. In the limited amount of time we were around them, it didn't appear they had much to say to each other.
And just as soon as they had arrived, they were off down the third fairway. Back to the maintenance facility for us.
Following the orientation session and Tiger Time, the crews rallied to make their first trips onto the course for the week.
Signs like this, recognizing all of the sponsors helping with uniforms, food, etc. this week at the maintenance facility, are posted in several different locations.
Was this area here when I visited Bethpage in March? If so, I don't remember it — a fabulously landscaped spot just off the maintenance facility.
Storm clouds began brewing over Bethpage State Park around 3:30 on Monday afternoon. This is shot across the first fairway.
Dinner was served in the maintenance facility Monday afternoon. Meal time was extended by an hour or so when the rains came.
The calm before the storm ... literally. Crew members kick back prior to afternoon rounds that eventually began nearly two hours late because of rain.
The last two men to serve as host superintendents for the U.S. Open — GCSAA CEO Mark Woodward (left), who led efforts at last year's Open at Torrey Pines, and Craig Currier, the man in charge of golf course maintenance at this year's Open at Bethpage.
Shhhhh!! Don't tell Craig Currier!! This is supposed to be a surprise, a plaque commemorating this year's Open, signed be members of the maintenance crew.
Still a secret! Let's hope Currier doesn't check out the blog between now and tonight, when he'll be presented with this plaque.
The bulk of Tuesday afternoon gathering of the maintenance crew at Bethpage was spent on contingency planning for potential wet weather that the forecast says is on the way beginning Thursday.
A magician made his way around the maintenance facility as a part of the Long Island GCSA reception Tuesday afternoon. And trust me, he was good. Freaky good. I didn't sleep much last night.
The reception honored Craig Currier and the crew at Bethpage for hosting their second U.S. Open in the last seven years.
Currier spent most of Tuesday afternoon juggling official Open duties, shaking hands with guests at the Long Island GCSA reception and catching a few moments with his family.
The power trio (from left): GCSAA CEO Mark Woodward, Currier and GCSAA president Mark Kuhns, CGCS.
Again, Currier and Kuhns. In anticipation of wet weather this weekend, Kuhns is loaning six "Water Hogs" to Currier to assist in removal of excess water from greens. You'll have to read the post to find out what a "Water Hog" is.
USGA officials during Wednesday's press conference — (from right) Jim Vernon, USGA president; Jim Hyler, USGA vice president and the chairman of the championship committee; and David Fay, executive director of the USGA.
Superintendent Craig Currier attended Wednesday's USGA press conference, then spent time answering reporters' questions afterwards.
Wednesday's television production meeting, which featured Currier and Mike Davis (shown here in white shirt), the senior director of rules and competition for the USGA.
Currier (right) chats with Oakmont Country Club superintendent John Zimmers, who was at Bethpage Wednesday for the formal announcement that his club would play host to the 2016 U.S. Open.
