What happens if the day is a washout? Don't even think about it.

After five years of hard work getting the Black Course at Bethpage State Park ready to host the 2009 U.S. Open Golf Championship, Mother Nature tried her best to send a knockout punch to the United States Golf Association. Thanks to a herculean effort by the grounds crew at Bethpage, play ended only one day behind schedule. I was there, golf fans, and it was one, huge, wet mess. Hats off to the USGA and the grounds crew for being able to pull this off.

The U.S. Open Golf Championship is just that, a tournament open to anyone. Well, not exactly. To qualify you need a handicap of 1.4 or lower, which wipes out, oh, probably 99 percent of the people who play the game. But if you have the microscopic handicap required and a few hundred dollars, you can try to earn one of about 75 qualifying spots to play for the national championship.

This year over 9,000 players from around the world participated in local and sectional qualifying events. In May, Laurel Links Country Club hosted a qualifying round with 80 players trying out. Phil Gehring and Scott Osler were the local hopefuls trying to make it to Bethpage. Phil shot a solid round considering he had played Laurel Links for the first time the day before. Scott played very well, losing in a playoff for the final alternate spot. Nice to see the hometown boys giving it a go.

While following the qualifying round at Laurel Links, one of the caddies recognized me from my mug shot in the paper and we began to chat. The guy looked like pro-tour caddy Mike "Fluff" Cowan, and seemed right at home caddying in this event. On the bag was Joe McIlvain of Southold. I asked Joe how he became a caddy. "I'm not a caddy," Joe replied. "I'm retired."

Joe had come out to watch the qualifying event and was following a group on the first hole. He noticed that all but one of the players had a caddy. Feeling bad for the caddy-less player, Joe asked if he could caddy for him and the player accepted. Now, Joe had never even been to Laurel Links before and here he is caddying in a U.S. Open qualifying match. Ya gotta love Joe.

When the rain-battered U.S. Open Championship ended on June 22, there was only one exempt player, Phil Mickelsen, in the top four. The other three players -- winner Lucas Glover, and runners-up David Duval and Ricky Barnes -- all had to qualify for entry into this year's tournament.

Many call the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black the "people's championship," since Bethpage is a public golf course. This year, with three qualifiers in the top four, it truly was an Open for the people.

I ran into some local golf fans at Bethpage and asked them what they liked most about attending the U.S. Open. Carol Cordone of Southold said, "I had the opportunity to walk the course and meet some of the pros." Carol's husband, Nick, said, "You're able to leave the problems of the world at the gate and bask in the sporting environment up close and personal." Peter Russo of Greenport said, "I like the atmosphere." Dottie, Peter's wife, said, "It's a thrill to see the famous players you see on TV." Elaine Tozer of Mattituck said, "I like that so many people come out to see the golf." Jeff Standish of Southold was there with his son, Darrin. Jeff said, "Whenever [the Open is] close to home, you've got to come." Darrin said: "I like watching the professional players. They're unbelievable!"

So there you have it folks, another U.S. Open in the books. I have never met anyone who has attended a professional golf tournament and not thoroughly enjoyed themselves. If you get the chance, take one in. Next stop in our backyard for the PGA Tour, the 2013 United States Women's Open at Sebonack Golf Club. Hope to see you there.

SOME BIG NAMES HIT THE LINKS The fifth annual Hamptons Golf Classic took place on Monday at Hampton Hills Golf and Country Club. The event was held to raise money and awareness for New York Knicks point guard Chris Duhon's Stand Tall Foundation, which helps the needs of children through recreation. Participating in this year's event, in addition to Duhon, were New York Giants star Justin Tuck, Sean Avery of the New York Rangers and Jill Zarin, star of television's "Real Housewives of New York City."

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