On a sunny afternoon weeks before the Ryder Cup, the sound of drilling filled the air at Bethpage Black. Workers were erecting a towering grandstand behind the first tee, a 5,000-seat structure that symbolizes the scale and atmosphere expected when the 45th edition begins later this month.
At 7 a.m. on September 26, the opening shot will be struck here in front of a raucous crowd, as the U.S. team seeks to harness a fiercely partisan atmosphere against Europe’s best. For Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and their teammates, the 1st tee at Bethpage will be a cauldron of noise unlike anything in golf.
The European side will visit the course after the BMW PGA Championship to get a sense of the setting, but nothing will fully prepare them for the spectacle awaiting.
Bethpage’s location is central to the atmosphere. Just 35 miles from New York City, the course sits within easy reach of millions of passionate sports fans. This is the same region that produces the rowdiest crowds at the US Open tennis tournament, and their fervor will be amplified by the patriotic edge of team golf. Past events in New York have already shown flashes of unruly behavior, and Bethpage is expected to amplify that intensity.
The grandstand itself is designed to enhance the drama. For the first time in Ryder Cup history, one structure spans both the 1st tee and the 18th green, enabling fans to watch matches start and finish from the same vantage point. The tee has even been shifted forward to shorten the opening hole, inviting players to attempt bold shots and giving the crowd the chance to erupt immediately.
Adding to the spectacle, Donald Trump is expected to attend the opening day (unless the Epstein files are released), further fueling the sense of theatre.
The excitement is evident across the Bethpage complex. Fans are already buzzing about Europe’s lineup, while Ryder Cup merchandise is selling quickly, with polo shirts priced at $95 and pin flags at $40. Locals refer to the event as the “Super Bowl of golf,” and ticket sales prove it: 50,000 spectators per day will pay $750 each for general admission, a sharp increase from Rome’s $270 ticket price last year. To justify the hike, the PGA of America included unlimited food and soft drinks for all ticket holders. Despite the cost, tickets sold out within hours.
Even volunteers are paying for the privilege, with 4,300 individuals spending $400 to marshal the course, outfitted with a uniform, bag, badge, and meals. Demand outstripped supply, with tens of thousands left on the waiting list.
Accommodation and travel reflect the same sky-high demand. Local homes have been rented out for $20,000 to $30,000 for the week, and six helicopter landing pads have been built to shuttle spectators from Manhattan for $1,250 per seat.
The contrast with Bethpage’s usual accessibility is striking. Known as one of the toughest courses in America, it normally charges New York residents just $70 for a weekday round, drawing long lines of golfers hoping to secure a tee time.
For now, the car park holds not eager amateurs but temporary team facilities built to specifications from captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley. Containing lockers, physio tables, and dining areas, they will serve as quiet sanctuaries for the players amid the chaos outside.
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