LI musician DelGuidice to sing national anthem at Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black

Mike DelGuidice will sing the National Anthem at the Ryder Cup opening ceremony at Bethpage Black Golf Course on Long Island, a milestone for the Miller Place native who has spent more than a decade in Billy Joel’s band. The moment puts a hometown performer on a global stage ahead of three days of competition that will pit the United States against Europe in a major international golf event.

DelGuidice’s anthem moment comes as the Ryder Cup runs Friday through Sunday at Bethpage Black in Nassau County, with Team USA led by captain Keegan Bradley, a one-time St. John’s University standout. The length and prestige of the event add extra weight to the opening ceremony, which will unfold on a course that has hosted major championships in the past and is known for its demanding layout.

DelGuidice’s path to the Ryder Cup has been long and winding. In his 20s, he lived in a motor home in a friend’s backyard while pursuing music, a period he describes as a time of persistent work despite hardship. He formed a Billy Joel cover band on Long Island that eventually drew Joel’s attention in 2002, and a decade of collaboration and touring followed. In 2013, during a rehearsal at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, Joel asked DelGuidice to join his band full time, a moment DelGuidice recalls as both validating and transformative. "The beauty of that moment wasn’t even ‘oh wow, I’m getting to play with Billy Joel,’" he has said, "it was an affirmation and a confirmation over everyone who said I couldn’t do this."

The opportunity to sing the anthem at such a high-profile event has special meaning for DelGuidice, who has long balanced a demanding touring life with a steady gig that put him in front of large crowds across the region. He has discussed the moment with Joel, and the two are aligned on honoring the anthem in a pure, respectful way. DelGuidice has said he plans to sing a cappella, avoiding elaborate melisma or vocal theatrics, and hopes the thousands in attendance—and viewers at home—will connect with a traditional, patriotic rendition. "We’re purists, so I approach the anthem in a very purist way," he said, adding that the first note is crucial and that it could be make-or-break if not hit exactly on cue. "Deliver it, just deliver it, and just get through it — and try not to drop dead of a heart attack midway through."

The moment is also personal for DelGuidice, who is a 54-year-old father of four. His rise from difficult early years—owning up to the struggle, divorce and the question of whether the dream would ever take hold—has become a throughline of his story. He credits stubbornness and perseverance with helping him push through the doubt and maintain his commitment to music, a philosophy that helped him keep pushing after that pivotal call from Joel in 2013. "The beauty of that moment wasn’t even about the possibility of working with Billy Joel; it was about proving to everyone who said I couldn’t do this that I could," he has said.

Beyond his work with Joel, DelGuidice has built a reputation as a versatile performer who takes the stage for independent gigs and special appearances across Long Island and the nation. His circle includes a broad array of performers, and his ties to the region are strong. He has even turned to golf as a hobby in recent years, finding time to explore nearly 30 courses on Long Island and negotiating a few free rounds at country clubs when possible. He describes golf as a challenging but rewarding pursuit that has helped balance the demands of a life spent on the road and in rehearsal studios. "My handicap dropped tremendously these past few years, but it’s a lot of work and it’s a frustrating game—and I’m an avid watcher as much as a player," he said, underscoring that the Ryder Cup moment is the kind of experience that makes all the effort worthwhile.

DelGuidice continues to perform with Joel while pursuing independent projects and releasing new music, including his latest single, and he says he is grateful for the chance to perform the anthem on a stage that brings together golf fans, music lovers and a global audience. He has long admired the sport’s greats and a handful of American players in particular. While he is a devoted Mets fan and has watched some of his heroes on television, DelGuidice emphasized that this event offers a different kind of spotlight. "I love Scottie Scheffler, but then again, I’m a huge fan of Bryson DeChambeau, I love Rory McIlroy. I don’t discriminate for any reason, whether it be country or anything," he noted, sharing his admiration for American and international players alike. He also joked about the star-power dynamic of performing alongside athletes and artists he respects, including nods to popular culture he’s followed over the years. The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, he said, is the kind of moment that truckloads of fans remember for a lifetime. "This is the moment—just try to stay in it and start on the right note," he said, underscoring the weight of representing his homeland in a global competition.

For DelGuidice, the opportunity connects his personal history with a moment of national significance. He plans to watch the rest of the weekend unfold, including the chance to meet some of his golf idols on home turf, and he hopes his performance will be a unifying, memorable opening to three days of intense competition. The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black promises a panorama of sport and music that will be replayed in conversations long after the trophy is awarded, with DelGuidice’s anthem standing as a distinctive milestone in a career defined by persistence, versatility and a deep connection to the region. Whether fans are in the stands or watching from afar, his rendition is expected to set a tone that blends reverence for the moment with a celebration of Long Island talent and its enduring ties to a landmark sporting event.