Bethpage Black: From public gem to Ryder Cup icon

Bethpage Black has emerged as a defining Ryder Cup venue, transforming a public course on Long Island into one of golf’s most visible stages. The layout, long a public gem known for its demanding routing and a regular on lists of the world’s top 100 courses, is now central to golf’s grandest competition. A sign affixed to the railing behind the first tee invites visitors to pause for photos before embarking on an approximately eight-mile, cart-free trek through the course’s rugged terrain, a walk that has become part of the event’s identity and ritual.

Fans travel from across the country and around the world to experience Bethpage Black during Ryder Cup week and the surrounding events. They come in darkness, with adrenaline surging and imagination unchained, arriving in packed parking lots along quiet suburban streets. They arrive with supplies, often including beer and snacks, and stories from their pre-dawn journeys. Some curl up in discomfort, sleeping in cars turned into makeshift cots, accepting little rest before the 4:30 a.m. wake-up knock — a rite of passage that many described as a ticket to their dream.

“I needed to check Bethpage Black off the bucket list,” said Missouri native Ben Czarnacki, one of the many fans who chase a tee time by any means necessary. “When you decide to fly from out of state, you have no idea if you’re even gonna get a tee time. We knew we were gonna have to sleep in the car to ensure we did. … We woke up around 1:30 a.m. because cars were piling in. Every spot was filled. When you get that ticket and you walk in, the butterflies in your stomach, I can’t explain it. There’s no other golf experience like it.”

Bethpage Black is open to all players, a rare public venue trusted to host golf’s marquee events. The course’s public status is a core part of its appeal, even as its Ryder Cup role elevates its profile far beyond local knowledge. The sign at the first tee and the eight-mile, cart-free traverse that follows have become a defining feature for spectators and players alike, a reminder that the Ryder Cup experience on this course blends accessibility with challenge. The route has vexed some of the game’s best players with its length, rugged terrain and the way it demands rhythm and teamwork from two-man teams in competition, while delivering a dramatic backdrop for team cheers and close finishes.

The Ryder Cup’s presence at Bethpage Black underscores a broader trend: public venues can serve as global stages without sacrificing the democratic appeal of golf. The course’s ascent from a beloved public layout to a symbol of the sport’s highest level reflects both the tournament’s history and its evolving relationship with fans. Local economies, tourism, and media attention tend to follow such a shift, turning a neighborhood course into a centerpiece of international sport for a week and beyond.

For many, Bethpage Black’s appeal rests not only on the tough, precise demands of its holes but also on its sense of place. It is a course where spectators can feel the weight of history as they walk the same fairways that have tested many of the game’s great players. The spectacle is amplified by the security, logistics and fan engagement that accompany a major event on a public track, where the public retains access to the grounds even as the viewing stands rise and the broadcast teams set up.

As the Ryder Cup moves through its schedule, Bethpage Black stands as a living reminder that iconic golf experiences do not require private clubs. Public access, strong course design and the emotional arc of the competition combine to create a narrative that resonates with fans who follow the sport year round. The course’s transformation into a Ryder Cup home is a testament to how public golf can host events that feel both intimate and monumental, drawing people in with the promise of a remarkable, shared experience amid a storied landscape.