The 2025 Ryder Cup is coming to New York State Parks, and it’s going to be a historic moment for both golf and New York. For the first time, Bethpage State Park is hosting the highly anticipated men’s golf competition between the United States and Europe. The PGA of America will bring the prestigious tournament to the famed Black Course this September. Like the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup, and the Olympics, the Ryder Cup is the peak event of professional golf and fans around the world couldn’t be more thrilled. 

The Venue: Bethpage Black  

If you’re familiar with the Black course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale on Long Island, you know it’s one of the most iconic, and toughest, courses in the country. Known as “The People’s Country Club,” Bethpage became the first public course to ever host the U.S. Open in 2002 and welcomed the tournament again in 2009. In 2019, it was the site of the 101st PGA Championship. Bethpage was also part of the PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoffs in 2012 and 2016.  This fall, more than 225,000 fans will converge on Bethpage as the spotlight of the international golf media shines on New York and the 2025 Ryder Cup. 

What is the Ryder Cup? 

The Ryder Cup is a uniquely thrilling event in the world of sports, where 12 top players from the U.S. face off against 12 top players from Europe over three days of intense match play competition. The event occurs every two years, alternating between courses in the U.S. and Europe. More than 5 million people globally watched the 2023 Ryder Cup, and this year, viewership will likely soar even higher. 

Named after Samuel Ryder, an English businessman who donated the signature gold trophy for the first tournament in 1927, the event has become golf’s crown jewel, run jointly by the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe. It’s estimated that Ryder Cup venues receive publicity worth more than $50 million. As fans flock to play Ryder Cup courses, the effect of this marquee golfing event reverberates for years. 

How Are the Teams Picked? 

Each Ryder Cup team is made up of 12 players. Players can qualify through automatic selection or be chosen by the team captains. 

• For the U.S. Team, players automatically qualify by earning points throughout the PGA Tour season, with the top six eligible players on August 17, 2025, securing spots. The remaining six players are selected by U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley. 

• For the European Team, the qualification process is similar, with players earning points through a newly structured Ryder Cup points list for 2025. The top six players qualify automatically and returning European captain Luke Donald selects the remaining six players. 

The 2025 Ryder Cup Captains 

• U.S. Team Captain: Keegan Bradley – The 2025 U.S. team captain is the highly accomplished golfer and major champion, Keegan Bradley. Known for his passion and leadership, Bradley played college golf regularly at Bethpage while attending St. John’s University. Keegan will undoubtedly guide the U.S. team in what promises to be an exciting and competitive event. 

• European Team Captain: Luke Donald – An English golfer and former world number one, will captain the European team once again, having previously captained Europe to a 16½-11½ victory over the United States at the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club outside Rome, Italy. He also has experience as both a player and captain’s assistant. 

Scoring: It’s All About Match Play 

Unlike most golf tournaments, where the player with the fewest strokes wins, the Ryder Cup uses match play. This means players compete hole-by-hole. A player earns a point by winning a hole, and the match continues until one player has accumulated more points than the opponent can win back with the remaining holes. 

The format allows for exciting comebacks and dramatic moments. For instance, if a player wins 10 holes to their opponent’s eight, they win the match, regardless of the total number of strokes. Matches end if a player goes up by more holes than there are left to play. If you’re up by five holes with only four left, the match ends in your favor, and you don’t play the remaining holes. 

Three-Day Format 

The competition spans three action-packed days: 

• Friday and Saturday: Each day features four morning and afternoon matches, with teams of two competing in foursomes (alternate shot) and fourball (best ball) formats. Each match is worth one point, for a total of 16 points available over the first two days. 

• Sunday: The final day is all about singles matches, where each player competes one-on-one. With 12 matches and 12 points available, the stage is set for a thrilling finish. 

A Storied Rivalry 

The Ryder Cup originally pitted the U.S. against Great Britain in 1927, with Ireland joining the British team in 1973. But in 1979, the competition expanded to include all continental Europe, giving rise to the intense rivalry we see today. The U.S. leads the overall series 27-15, though Europe has dominated in recent years, winning five of the past seven Ryder Cups. 

Looking Ahead 

As we gear up for September’s event, don’t forget to check out some of the other outstanding golf courses New York State Parks has to offer – 27 golf courses at 19 facilities. From Montauk to Niagara Falls, our state parks boast some of the best, unique and affordable golf experiences in the country. Famous course designer Robert Trent Jones crafted several exceptional layouts at Green Lakes, James Baird, and Montauk Downs, all just waiting to be explored. And don’t miss out on other incredible and popular tracks like Saratoga Spa, Robert Moses State Park, Soaring Eagles, and Beaver Island alongside the Niagara River.   

As we count down to the 2025 Ryder Cup and the weather begins to warm, it’s the perfect time to hit the links and start planning your own golf adventures!  We’ll see you out there and go USA!  

— Written by John Craig, Albany Public Affairs Bureau