USGA leaders believe their tournaments are a good fit for LI

During a visit to Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton yesterday, a U.S. Golf Association official said that the course looks as natural as if someone had just dropped a huge green blanket over the native ground — even though workers had to move tons of dirt to create hills and slopes on the former farm.

“It just fits and falls beautifully on the topography. It’s just a wonderful sight,” said Bill McCarthy, a Long Island native and championship director of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship to be held at Atlantic Sept. 25-30.

In the same way, USGA leaders believe their tournaments are a good fit for Long Island, even though the past two have had some rough spots. In fact, a member of the group’s executive committee said yesterday that the Mid-Amateur could lead to more championships at Atlantic and that the USGA is interested in bringing the U.S. Open back to Shinnecock Hills in Southampton.

“We’re open to everything,” said Steve Smyers, the executive committee member and chairman of the Mid-Amateur. “Our goal is to conduct the finest championships in golf.

“We try to choose venues around the country that will provide a tremendous examination of golfing talents and abilities. We try to move it around. We like coming to the New York area, we like coming to Long Island,” he said, mentioning that the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open and Walker Cup both will be at neighboring Southampton courses, Sebonack and National Golf Links of America.

The past two USGA events on the Island were tempestuous and controversial. The 2004 Open at Shinnecock left the venerable course scorched. The USGA was criticized by the public and state officials at the U.S. Open last year over a refund policy after the first round at Bethpage was washed out.

But there was nothing but goodwill between the USGA and the Island at the Mid-Amateur media day in Bridgehampton. Smyers and McCarthy praised Atlantic as well as The Bridge, which will host part of the stroke-play portion of the September tournament. “They are two fantastic golf courses in a golf-rich environment,” Smyers said.