Farmingdale, N.Y. — Chris DeForest only had one word to describe Bethpage Black Golf Course: difficult.

The world renowned course on Long Island has been at the mercy of some of the world’s best golfers, most notably at the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open. And on a hot July afternoon, “The Black” was formidable as ever.

“You need persistence,” DeForest said. “It’s always going to be hard, and it doesn’t matter how it’s set up. It’s just a very testing, trivial golf course. The course was playing easy for Bethpage Black, but it doesn’t play easy ever.”

DeForest returned to his home state of New York this past week to play in the New State Open Championship. The former Illini and Cottekill native played representing his hometown Roundout Country Club, where his father is the head professional and also where he started playing golf at a young age.

“It’s pretty neat to come back to New York,” DeForest said. “I don’t get to do it that often because everything is pretty national for me. It’s fun matching up professionals and top amateurs from my home state.”

DeForest shot an even par, 71, on Tuesday and Wednesday, making the cut in the three-day tournament. He went 2-under-par on Thursday, finishing in third place.

However, the New York State Open Championship has been one of the lesser tournaments DeForest has participated in this summer.

“I’ve had some really good experiences this summer where I learned a lot,” DeForest said. “I wish I could’ve capitalized better, but I feel I’m improving every week.”

The bulk of the summer for DeForest has consisted of Pro-Am’s, PGA qualifiers and events on the Nationwide Tour. The two main events this summer he played in were the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., and the U.S. Open at Congressional in Bethesda, Md. Despite not making the cut at Congressional, DeForest said he still took a lot away from the experience.

“I was right there competing near the lead after 10 holes,” DeForest said. “But either way I was 3-under, plus I know I have the skill set, and I can play golf with some of the top players out there.”

The four years DeForest spent wearing the Orange and Blue of the Illini has helped him make the jump to the next level.

“These tournaments are very similar to college golf,” DeForest said. “The top collegiate tournaments are at the same skill level as events on the Nationwide Tour. It’s all about being able to grind, make a few extra putts, and drive the ball straighter.”

Needless to say, DeForest still misses his time in Champaign.

“I do enjoy playing professional golf on my own,” DeForest said. “But I miss my teammates and the support they gave me and the camaraderie we had for the last four years.”