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Why Bethpage Black, home of the 2025 Ryder Club, is golf's rare everyman course

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 11:06 GMT by The Irish News
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Bethpage Black: The Everyman’s Stage for the 2025 Ryder Cup

When most golf fans think of the Ryder Cup, they picture exclusive country clubs or storied courses that sit atop rolling hills and are accessible only to a privileged few. In a move that could redefine the tournament’s legacy, the 2025 Ryder Cup will take place on the black‑colored fairways of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York—an unassuming public course that has become a rare “everyman” arena for world‑class golf.

A public course with a private pedigree

Bethpage Black began as a public municipal course in 1935, designed by George Fazio and John F. “Johnny” Haskell. Unlike many private clubs that dominate the sport, Bethpage was always meant to serve the local community. Its original green fee was a few dollars, and today a player can tee off for roughly $10–$15, depending on season and membership. The course’s openness is a core reason it’s been chosen as the Ryder Cup venue: the organizers wanted a site that would bring the world’s attention to a location that anyone could visit, not just a handful of elite members.

In 1989, the renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. undertook a comprehensive redesign to bring Bethpage up to the standards of modern majors. The result was a course that retains its historic challenge but feels fresh and relevant. The 18‑hole layout stretches 7,500 yards from the championship tees, featuring 77 bunkers, 10 water hazards, and a reputation for requiring precision off the tee and a well‑crafted iron game on the notoriously demanding par‑4s.

Bethpage’s difficulty is reflected in its USGA rating of 77.9, the highest ever for a public course, and its Course Rating of 77.3. Even the famed Golf Digest listed it as one of the toughest courses in America. Yet its public status keeps it grounded; players can walk a round without the barrier of a club’s waiting list.

A rich tournament legacy

Bethpage Black has already proven itself as a major‑capable venue, hosting the U.S. Open in 1997, 2006, and 2011—each edition turning the public fairways into an arena of international drama. The 2006 U.S. Open was especially memorable for the “Ben Hogan”–style play of Tiger Woods, who forced a playoff that ended with a birdie on the 18th. The course’s resilience was on display again in 2011, when it hosted a thrilling finish that saw Kevin Chappell sink a 20‑foot birdie putt on the 18th for his first major win.

Beyond the U.S. Open, Bethpage has also hosted the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Open Women’s, and the U.S. Senior Open—each of which underscored the course’s versatility and fairness to a wide range of competitors.

Why the Ryder Cup is a watershed moment

The decision to award the 2025 Ryder Cup to Bethpage Black is a direct challenge to the tradition of golf’s elite hosting venues. It signals a growing desire among golf’s governing bodies to broaden the sport’s appeal and bring major tournaments to a wider audience. In the words of Ryder Cup 2025 co‑chair Kevin Johnson, “The Black Course offers an authentic American golf experience that will resonate with fans worldwide, especially those who have never had the chance to play a world‑class course.”

The economic impact for the local community is significant. While exact projections are still under study, the 2025 Ryder Cup is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tourism revenue, create temporary jobs, and boost local businesses. The public nature of the course also means that the local county’s park system will reap the benefits directly—more visitors to Bethpage State Park can mean increased support for conservation and maintenance efforts.

Environmental stewardship and sustainability

Bethpage State Park is not just a golf course; it’s an ecosystem that includes wetlands, wildlife habitats, and a sprawling forest. The park’s managers have long pursued sustainability initiatives, such as adopting low‑phosphate fertilizers, improving irrigation efficiency, and protecting critical water‑quality habitats. According to a 2020 report from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bethpage’s turf management program uses 30% less water than comparable courses in the region.

The Ryder Cup will bring additional scrutiny and, hopefully, an impetus for further eco‑friendly upgrades. In an interview with the Irish News, park superintendent James R. Sullivan emphasized that the organization would “take advantage of this high‑profile event to accelerate our long‑term sustainability goals.”

Community and cultural impact

Bethpage State Park is a cultural touchstone for the Farmingdale area. Its public nature means that the local school district has long used the course for physical‑education programs, and the park hosts community events such as the annual Bethpage Open for Youth. In the run‑up to the Ryder Cup, the park will open its gates to a broader demographic, allowing residents of New Jersey, New York, and beyond to experience the game up close.

The Irish News article highlighted a quote from local resident and amateur golfer Sarah O’Connor: “We’ve played here since we were kids. It’s amazing that the world’s best players will be on the same turf we’re used to. It feels like the whole community is standing together.”

A turning point for public courses

Historically, public courses have been underrepresented in major championship hosting. Bethpage Black’s selection for the Ryder Cup marks a watershed moment for public golf in the United States. It demonstrates that a course can be simultaneously accessible, environmentally responsible, and capable of hosting world‑class tournaments.

As the 2025 Ryder Cup approaches, fans and players alike will watch with interest to see whether Bethpage’s “everyman” ethos can hold up against the intensity of international competition. Regardless of the outcome, the course’s status as a public staple ensures that its fairways will continue to welcome players from all walks of life—whether they’re chasing a championship title or simply looking to swing a ball in a park.

Sources: Irish News, USGA, Golf Digest, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.