Through September 23rd-28th, Bethpage was taken over by the Ryder Cup, a tournament between teams of European and American golfers. The event took place at the Bethpage State Park Golf Course. Drawing over 250,000 people, including President Donald J. Trump during the opening ceremonies.
Played over three days, the tournament featured 28 total matches. The first team to earn 14.5 points wins.There were two teams of 12 players. One represented the United States and the other represented Europe. This tournament is held every two years, alternating between venues in the U.S. and Europe. Team Europe won the 2025 Ryder Cup, defeating the United States with a final score of 15-13 at the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, New York. The victory marks back-to-back wins for Europe, after the 2023 Ryder Cup.
The 2025 Ryder Cup brought an economic boom to the Long Island region, especially Bethpage due to the proximity. With businesses and residents benefiting from increased tourism and hospitality revenue. However, hosting the event also created significant inconveniences for locals due to the overwhelming crowds, increased traffic, and the temporary closure and modified access of the famous Bethpage Black golf course. Thousands of fans poured into Bethpage State Park for the tournament, leading to congestion and disruption for local residents.
Many students from Bethpage High School who attended the event such as Jessica Maietta said, ”It was so cool seeing professionals up close and everything was all inclusive.’’
During the 2025 Ryder Cup, Farmingdale State College closed for a full week, so the Professional Golfers’ Association could use its campus parking for tournament staff and volunteers. Local residents rented out their homes and driveways to people attending the Ryder Cup in order to earn extra revenue.
Kaya Drouin shared, ‘’During the Ryder Cup weekend, my parents rented out our basement so a family could have a place to stay while attending the tournament.’’
While some may miss the Ryder Cup and some are happy it’s gone. Either way, it was a memorable experience that will be remembered for years to come.
