News Summary
The iconic warning sign at Bethpage Black, cautioning golfers about the course’s difficulty, has been temporarily removed for the upcoming Ryder Cup. The removal is necessitated by the construction of a grandstand around the first tee and 18th green. Ryder Cup Director Bryan Karns confirmed the changes to the course layout, with adjustments in tee positions and green speeds to promote scoring. As preparations continue, interest in ticket prices surges, reflecting a significant increase in demand. The Ryder Cup promises to be a thrilling event at this challenging course.
Bethpage, New York – The iconic warning sign at Bethpage Black, which reads “WARNING – The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers,” has been temporarily removed ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup. This sign, a fixture of the course for decades, will not be in place during the prestigious golf event due to the installation of a 5,000-seat grandstand surrounding the first tee and 18th green.
Ryder Cup Director Bryan Karns confirmed that adjustments made to the location of the first tee, now positioned 40 yards in front of the existing tee, necessitated the removal of the sign. The design of the grandstand would have rendered the sign impractical to keep, as it would be placed beneath the structure.
As preparations for the Ryder Cup near completion, discussions regarding the course conditions and layout have become increasingly prominent. Paul McGinley, who is serving as a strategic adviser to Team Europe, indicated that the rough on the course would not be as thick as it has been during previous U.S. Opens. Current conditions show that the fairways are soft and generous, with several tee boxes repositioned to encourage scoring and gameplay. For instance, the 17th hole has been shortened by approximately 30 yards from its previous distances.
The greens at Bethpage Black currently have speeds estimated around 12 but are expected to increase to approximately 13 as the event approaches. McGinley has described the course setup as reflective of traditional American strategies, aiming to foster low scoring and fast play.
With the Ryder Cup set to begin on September 25, 2025, and an opening ceremony planned for that afternoon, ticket prices have seen a significant rise. One-day passes are now listed at $750, reflecting a 400% increase compared to the prices for the 2023 Ryder Cup held in Rome. Tickets for practice rounds are priced at $255 on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Thursday’s ticket available for $424.
This year, the Ryder Cup format will feature team-based sessions over the first two days, with singles matches scheduled for Sunday. A total of 28 points will be contested, with the United States needing at least 14.5 points to secure an outright victory.
Rory McIlroy has forecasted that Europe will break the home winning streak, claiming victory at Bethpage Black. It is noteworthy that the Ryder Cup has not seen an away team win since Europe’s comeback victory at Medinah in 2012.
The Black Course at Bethpage, often referred to as “The People’s Country Club,” maintains a reputation for being a challenging test of golf. While its iconic warning sign’s removal is temporary, the anticipation for the 2025 Ryder Cup continues to build as golfers and fans alike prepare for what promises to be a thrilling competition.
As the event draws closer, expectations for player rankings and individual matchups will become clearer, adding to the excitement surrounding the Ryder Cup at this storied course.
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Additional Resources
- Golf.com: Ryder Cup Practice Round Tickets Plummet
- CBS Sports: Ryder Cup 2025 Schedule, Dates, Format Explained
- Golf.com: 2025 Ryder Cup Power Rankings
- Golfweek: Ryder Cup Live Updates
- Ryder Cup: 10 Things to Know About Team Europe
- Wikipedia: Ryder Cup
- Google Search: Ryder Cup 2025
- Google Scholar: Ryder Cup
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ryder Cup
- Google News: Ryder Cup
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