The Golfdom Files: N.Y. Taxi Drivers do their hacking at Bethpage, February 1965
This week, the 45th Ryder Cup will take place at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, NY. Bethpage has always been held in high regard with the public as “The People’s Country Club.” One of, if not the premier, public golf facility in the world, serves the working-class folks of Long Island and the New York Metro Area. The Golfdom Staff found a great column in the Golfdom Files of the courses at Bethpage serving those New York locals.
Barnet Wood, a New York City newspaper golf writer, started about a year ago to get taxi cab drivers interested in playing golf and before 1962 was over, had arranged 15 outings for them at Bethpage State Park. Late in September, the cabbies climaxed their season with a big tournament. Wood hopes to keep the program going in 1963.
Wood hardly had to sell the idea, but more or less for the record he pointed out in his early pitches, the advantage of playing golf. In Bethpage, he said, there is available what he referred to as a $25 million country club, the privileges of which can be enjoyed for only $2.50 a round. On taxi day, players also were given a special discount at the range — only a charge of 25 cents was made for each bucket of balls they hit.
At the tournament, each participant was given a shag bag, key ring and cigarette lighter by Wm. Teacher & Sons. Teacher also made sure that the players were properly lubricated as it donated a dozen bottles of Scotch to the entertainment committee. Trophies and other prizes were donated by several New York industrial and commercial firms.
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