Bethpage Black sign removed for Ryder Cup grandstand; replicas will travel to Rockefeller Center
Iconic warning placard won’t be on-site on Long Island, but will be showcased in Manhattan and via replicas at Bethpage during the Ryder Cup.
Bethpage Black’s iconic sign, the warning placard fixed behind the first tee on the course’s famed Black Course, will not be visible at the Ryder Cup on Long Island after construction of a 5,000-seat grandstand around the first tee and the 18th green necessitated its removal. The sign has been taken down as crews build the structure that will wrap around the two key sights on the course, a move the organizers say is necessary to fit the grandstand without compromising sightlines.
Ryder Cup organizers said a brand-new first tee has been built about 40 yards in front of the existing tee to accommodate the grandstand. If the structure had been built around the old tee, the sign would have sat underneath the grandstands, making it impractical to display. The shift allows the event to proceed while preserving the layout of the course and the viewing experience for spectators.
The sign will be featured in Manhattan, at the Ryder Cup Live Fan Zone in Rockefeller Center, which opens Sept. 25 and runs through the final matches on Sept. 28. Replica signs will be displayed at Bethpage so fans visiting the course can still photograph themselves with a near replica. Ryder Cup Director Bryan Karns confirmed the change, noting that the sign is gone and the Ryder Cup will use a brand-new first tee that’s 40 yards in front of the existing tee. He said that building the grandstand around the old tee would have put the sign under the structure and would not have worked.
The relocation reflects the scale of this year’s Ryder Cup, a two-site event that has drawn immense attention as players and fans converge on Long Island for a weeks-long celebration of golf. The sign’s absence on-site removes a long-standing photo moment, but organizers emphasize that fans will still have several focal points, including interactive experiences in Rockefeller Center and the new on-course viewing options created by the modern grandstand. Replica signs at Bethpage will provide a familiar icon for on-site fans, even as the original moves temporarily off the course.
Bethpage Black is widely regarded for its challenging layout and has long been a centerpiece of New York golf. While the iconic warning sign will be away from the first tee for the Ryder Cup, the tournament’s organizers have designed the changes to balance the sporting spectacle with necessary construction needs and fan access. The event’s schedule centers around Sept. 25–28, with the Live Fan Zone in Manhattan serving as a hub for fans who cannot travel to Bethpage to catch the on-site action. The blend of a redesigned tee, a prominent grandstand, and a Manhattan-facing exhibit ensures the Ryder Cup remains a visual and competitive focal point for golf fans across the region. 