News Summary
A report from New York’s Inspector General reveals irregularities in the tee time reservation system at Bethpage State Park. Triggered by allegations of software bots affecting online bookings, the investigation found a high cancellation rate, particularly on the Black Course. Though no bots were confirmed, the report suggests some users exploited booking loopholes. To enhance fairness, recommendations include implementing user identification systems and stricter cancellation rules. The introduction of a two-factor authentication process aims to ensure that only human users can make reservations, while legislative measures are underway to combat the bot issue.
New York State’s Inspector General has released a report revealing irregularities in the tee time reservation system at Bethpage State Park. The inquiry was instigated by allegations that software bots and tee time resellers were corrupting the online booking processes used by golfers at the park’s five courses.
The investigation was sparked by an initial report from golf writer Kevin Van Valkenburg. While the report describes tee time bots as posing a “serious threat” to the integrity of the booking system, the Inspector General’s team could not substantiate claims of bot usage with concrete evidence.
Notably, the report detailed that between April and August 2024, over half (55%) of tee times booked—totaling 57,587 out of 105,000—ended in cancellations. The cancellation rate reached nearly 60% on the Black Course, with 9,462 out of 16,365 tee times canceled during that period. Such high cancellation numbers indicate potential irregularities within the booking system, although the precise reasons remain unclear.
Furthermore, while no illegal tee time resellers were discovered during the investigation, the report suggested that some users may have exploited loopholes to avoid restrictions against transferring tee times. It has been theorized that users may cancel their reservations at unusual hours, allowing others to re-book these times, thus not following traditional booking protocols.
To address these concerns, the Inspector General’s office has recommended implementing a identification verification system such as ID.me to authenticate every booking and guarantee equitable access to tee times. Additionally, the New York State Parks Department has enacted stricter cancellation rules and implemented new booking fees to combat these reported issues.
In response to the growing concern, a two-factor authentication system was introduced following the Ryder Cup to ensure that all reservations could only be made by human users. This proactive measure aims to alleviate the access issues that have arisen due to the reported activities of bots.
As of 2025, the popularity of Bethpage Black has surged, resulting in prolonged waiting periods for tee times that can extend up to two days. The Inspector General stressed the urgency of mitigating the impact of bots to uphold public trust and ensure fairness in accessing tee times.
Local golfer Eric Bengyak has been outspoken about these bot-related issues, claiming they severely hinder access to tee times for residents. He pointed out that tee times often vanished within seconds during booking periods, underscoring how bots may interfere with fair access.
Data analysis has shown that more tee times were canceled than actually played, raising further concerns about the integrity of the booking system. The New York Parks & Recreation acknowledged the bot problem, labeling it a “nationwide concern,” and pledged to collaborate with the booking software provider to develop robust safeguards against these threats.
ForeUP, the firm managing the tee time reservation system, has affirmed that it is actively working to reduce bot interference. In addition, New York’s legislative response includes the introduction of the BIRDIE Act, which seeks to prohibit third-party services from selling tee time reservations for state-owned golf courses. Assemblyman Ed Ra has expressed belief that this act, along with potential penalties for violators, will significantly help in diminishing the influence of bots and ensure fair access for taxpayers.
As these measures are set in motion, the future of tee time reservations at Bethpage State Park rests on the implementation of stricter regulations and technological advancements aimed at protecting the interests of the golfing community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Golf.com: New York State’s Issues with Bethpage Tee Times
- Wikipedia: Tee time
- New York Post: Fixing Bethpage Tee Time Problems
- Google Search: Bethpage tee time system
- Slate: Ryder Cup and American Golf Fans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Golf.com: Bethpage Black Course Tour
- Google News: Bethpage golf course
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
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