FARMINGDALE, N.Y AP. — The Ryder Cup and PGA Championship are coming to Bethpage Black.
The PGA of America announced Tuesday that Bethpage Black will host the rowdiest event in golf in 2024. The public course at a Long Island state park has developed a well-earned reputation for loud and boisterous fans, having played host to two U.S. Open championships in 2002 and 2009. Last year, the Barclays was held there as part of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
PGA of America President Ted Bishop says players have asked for years about playing the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
He said he was watching Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler during a practice round at the 2010 Ryder Cup, when Bethpage Black came up. Bishop says Fowler mused, “Can you imagine what a great home field advantage and how intimidating a Bethpage Black Ryder Cup would be?”
“This venue, this course, this city is going to take the Ryder Cup to a place that it’s never been before,” Bishop said.
“The PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup tournaments will also provide a tremendous boost to the Long Island economy and put the beautiful, world-class Bethpage State Golf Course on an international stage,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He noted the PGA Championship held at Oak Hill near Rochester this summer brought 200,000 visitors to the region, and added $75 million to the local economy.
Officials at Tuesday’s press conference noted that New York also hosted to the first PGA Championship in 1916 in Bronxville.
“To combine the energy of the Ryder Cup with the energy of Bethpage State Park and the state of New York and New York sports fans is really exciting to think about,” PGA CEO Pete Bevacqua.
Bethpage Black first held a big tournament at the 2002 U.S. Open won by Tiger Woods. It held another U.S. Open in 2009, and The Barclays in 2012 as part of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Woods will be 48 when the Ryder Cup is held at Bethpage Black.
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