Just over a year ago, at the conclusion of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club outside Rome, Italy, there was a Silver Putter Presentation to the host of the next Ryder Cup. That silver putter plaque now hangs inside the clubhouse at Bethpage State Park where the 45^th Ryder Cup matches will be contested in late September 2025.

You have a few months left to view that silver putter up close before 24 of the world’s best players bring their own prized putters – and the rest of their golf bags – to Bethpage Black for the 2025 Ryder Cup. The countdown is officially on for a competition at what is considered one of the best, and hardest, courses in the world.

The team at Bethpage State Park has been working closely with the PGA of America to prepare the course and address operational challenges of hosting more than 225,000 fans for the Ryder Cup next September 23-28. The world of golf may never be the same after the sport’s greatest match is played on the famed Black.

This event is much different from a traditional professional golf tournament. The Ryder Cup is three days of matches – four played in the morning and four more in the afternoon on both Friday and Saturday, two vs. two. On Sunday, there are 12 singles matches to decide the cup. Win a match, win a point. Tie and each get half a point. Sometimes matches go the full 18, sometimes they will end early if one side is up substantially.

The Black is no stranger to the spotlight. The course has hosted the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens and the 2019 PGA Championship. In those three majors, only nine players finished the tournament under par. But the Ryder Cup is not stroke play, it’s match play. Each hole is its own slugfest. Win enough holes, win the match. Win a match, win a point.

In early October, the PGA of America held a press conference in New York City to mark the year-to-go celebration for the Ryder Cup. First-time captain for Team USA Keegan Bradley and returning European captain Luke Donald met the media and took a whirlwind tour around the Big Apple. The duo chipped balls off the back of a boat as they sailed the Hudson River past the Statue of Liberty, visited The Today Show and posed for photos with the cup at local landmarks. This fanfare is not usually done to promote any ordinary golf event – only the Ryder Cup!

Buildup and Hype

Over the next several months, you will see plenty of buildup to what many expect to be the biggest version of the Ryder Cup ever. There will be plenty of buildup on the property at Bethpage State Park as well. That may change some of the routing of the four other outstanding golf courses – Red, Blue, Yellow and Green – but it won’t stop regular players from visiting. Over 300,000 rounds are played annually at Bethpage. Golfers plan weeks in advance to play or come into New York a day early for a business meeting just to tee it up on the famous track.

Expect an unprecedented infrastructure build out, which is estimated to be significantly larger than the 2019 PGA Championship. The PGA of America and Bethpage superintendents are moving the tee box up to allow for the Ryder Cup’s customary massive stadium that encompasses the opening tee box.

Looking Back

In 1979, the Ryder Cup competition was adjusted from USA vs. Great Britain and Ireland to USA vs. all of Europe. For the next 20 years, the Americans led 6-4-1. After that, Europe has gone 8-3, with the USA winning “home games” in 2008 (Kentucky), 2016 (Minnesota) and 2021 (Wisconsin). I happened to be at those matches in 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky. It was something else. My dad and I went out for the Thursday practice round and the opening ceremonies and then the Friday matches. It was unlike anything we’d ever been to in person, that’s for sure. We got there early and stayed late. The matches were played at Valhalla Golf Club outside Louisville, which knows all about international competition – see Kentucky Derby. But this horse race was much different. They had a pep rally downtown Thursday evening. What golf tournament has a pep rally? I thought the buildout was big there. I can’t imagine what it will look like 17 years later.

The economic impact across Long Island and the greater metropolitan New York area will be significant. As a tourist back in ’08 in Louisville, I remember visiting the Louisville Slugger Museum and a small art gallery where local artists showed off their interpretation of golf clubs, covers, balls and course. Restaurants and bars were packed. We bought ball markers, hats, a belt, a commemorative poster, a beautiful wooden putter and, miraculously, two golf shirts that still fit!

Looking Ahead

Several state agencies will partner with State Parks for the global event, including Empire State Development, the NYS Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Division of the Budget, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Division of Military and Naval Affairs, Information Technology Services, New York State Police, the Office of General Services and numerous local law enforcement and government entities.

At the October press conference, both captains were asked about the expected crowds. Bradley offered that there will be security inside the ropes to make sure play is fair for both teams.

“I have total faith in the fans of New York to cheer on their team, proudly and loudly,” Bradley said. “I don’t want them to cross the line, to do anything that would affect the course of play. But it’s going to be a tough atmosphere. It’s going to be tough for both teams.”

“The Ryder Cup is special because it is spirited. Passions are high. Energy is high,” Donald said. “You want to see that amongst the players. You certainly don’t want to see the spirit of the Ryder Cup endangered in any way.

Year To Go

Who will be on the teams? That’s still to be determined. It won’t matter, really. It’ll be fun at “The People’s Country Club.” Take a ride out, see the silver putter, and play a round on any of the five courses at Bethpage. While you’re at it, visit any of our other state park golf courses and “get all the feels” as the kids say. We’ll see you out there!

— Written by John Craig, Albany Public Affairs Digital Content Specialist