Bethpage hosting big Barclays golf tourney

It may not be the U.S. Open, but it is a big golf tournament nonetheless, and it means money for Long Island's struggling economy.

Preparations are now under way at Bethpage State Park for The Barclays tournament, to be played by the world's top 125 golfers at the venerable Black Course, Aug. 21-26. The Barclays is the first event in the PGA Tour playoffs for the FedExCup.

Steve Carl, owner of Carlyle on the Green at Bethpage, said a huge Barclays tent is now being erected. The U.S. Open, last played on the Island in 2009 at Bethpage Black, is, of course, larger and better known. But The Barclays is nothing to sneeze at.

Tournament executive director Peter Mele said about 35,000 spectators are expected on each day of the tournament. Mele said such tournaments elsewhere -- this is the first time the Barclays will be played on Long Island -- have generated about $35 million for the local economy. Among the players expected are Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Ralph Ekstrand, mayor of Farmingdale, said the village is happy the tournament will be a chip shot away from his downtown. The tournament, he said, may "not be as significant" as the Open, during which Farmingdale restaurants and bars reported a 30 percent to 40 percent increase in business. He is not expecting that this time around.

But, he added, "It's good to have a sports event" nearby. Signs will go up at the Farmingdale railroad station inviting spectators to visit Main Street stores. Mele said The Barclays expects to donate "north of" $1 million to Long Island charities, once it pays its other bills.