The 2025 Ryder Cup matches will take place at Bethpage Black State Park Golf Course on Long Island, which has previously hosted national championships such as the 2019 PGA Championship. The defending champions, Team Europe, will be led by captain Luke Donald, while the US PGA team’s captain is speculated to be a 15-time major champion and eight-time Ryder Cup participant. This historic event will mark the second time the Ryder Cup has been played in the New York metropolitan area, with the first being in 1935 at the Ridgewood Club in New Jersey.
Bethpage Black is unique in the world of championship golf as it is a state park golf course, one of five courses on the property along with the Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow courses. These courses were developed by notable designers such as A.W. Tillinghast, Joseph Burbeck, and Alfred Tull. While state park courses typically do not host major championships, Bethpage has proven to be an exceptional venue for golf events and continues to improve. Its selection as the host for the 2025 Ryder Cup matches is a testament to the dedication of the New York state government, golf enthusiasts, and the PGA of America.
The New York state park golf course system consists of 19 parks offering golf across the state, with Beaver Island being the course near the author’s home in Western New York. Designed by William Harries, Beaver Island is a flat course with interesting features that make it a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience. The author reflects on playing various state park courses, including those at Bethpage, Green Lakes in Syracuse, and James Baird in Poughkeepsie. Each course offers a unique set of challenges and distinctive features that showcase the diversity of golf courses in New York state.
The author recounts his experiences playing at Green Lakes, where Robert Trent Jones designed a course that navigates around two glacial lakes. The course features varied landscapes and challenges that make it an engaging course for golfers. Similarly, at James Baird State Park, another Trent Jones design known as “Baby Bethpage,” the author takes his high school golf team to compete each spring. The course presents a mix of topography and marshland that provides a different kind of challenge compared to Bethpage Black.
With a focus on the history and design of each state park golf course, the author shares insights into the unique features and characteristics of these venues. From the flat terrain of Beaver Island to the elevated greens of Green Lakes, each course offers a distinct golfing experience. The author plans to visit and review more state park courses in the coming months, providing a comprehensive perspective on the state park golf course system in New York.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Ryder Cup matches at Bethpage Black, the author anticipates the stories and excitement that will surround this prestigious event. With a rich history of hosting national championships and a reputation for challenging play, Bethpage Black is poised to be a fitting venue for the Ryder Cup. The author expresses pride and excitement in sharing his own experiences and stories from playing at state park golf courses in New York, highlighting the diversity and quality of golf courses available across the state.
