Team Europe – The Sports Fan Project

Where’s the Golf!?! (aka My Time at the 2025 Ryder Cup)

October 20, 2025October 23, 2025DouglasTHill1 Comment

Jerry and the Bethpage Sign — **^{The famous sign at Bethpage Black Golf Course which greets players before they embark on their round was turned oversized for photo opportunities during the 2025 Ryder Cup.}**

With a recent trip to Farmingdale, NY, and Bethpage Black Golf Course – site of the 2025 Ryder Cup – I’ve come to the end of my scheduled attendance at team golf events as part of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.

And, may I say, thank heavens!

Now, please don’t misinterpret the previous statement.

I believe team golf is one of the most exciting sporting events to spectate. Quite frankly, I look forward to the biennial Ryder, Presidents, and Solheim cups as much – or maybe even more so – than any other major event that doesn’t include a team I have a rooting interest in. Watching how athletes in what is ordinarily an individual competition work to modify their styles of play to conform with a playing partner within the team environment creates some fabulous drama.

The national pride component – especially with the Solheim and Ryder cups – also makes for a different level of energy than what would otherwise be witnessed at a typical PGA Tour stop.

However …

For the general grounds’ pass-holding fan, it’s mighty challenging to actually – you know – see any golf.

The estimates for the 2025 Ryder Cup were 45,000 and 50,000 fans on the grounds for competition days, which means for Friday and Saturday’s Foursomes and Four Ball play, those fans are all clamoring to see one of four groups on the course at a time.

My father and I ran into this predicament at the 2024 Solheim Cup as did I while attending the 2024 Presidents Cup. If you want to be on the first tee for the announcement of each group, enjoy the DJ, and the generally raucous vibe, you’ll need to be there before the sun’s up. And then, you’d best have a plan for where you’re off to next in hopes to seeing more golf shots, because those folks who weren’t early birds are clogging the rest of the first hole and likely Nos. 2 and 3 and probably even No. 4 as well.

All of this was part of my strategy for not attending one of the competition days during the 2025 Ryder Cup. That coupled with the four-figure pricetag for a weekend grounds entry was enough for me to purchase tickets to Thursday’s practice round and, even then, it was the highest priced ticket I’ve purchased in the 25 events to date … AND IT WASN’T EVEN AN ACTUAL COMPETITION DAY!!!

Alas, the best-laid plans.

Somedays You Gotta Take a Mulligan

Following a Tuesday full of travel from southeastern lower Michigan to Lewisburg, PA, my father and I – bellies full thanks to a visit to Gram’s Eatery – were preparing to call it a night when I finally got around to checking my email.

In my inbox was something from the Ryder Cup informing me that due to forecasted inclement weather on Thursday, the Opening Ceremonies would be moved to Wednesday and the final round of the Junior Ryder Cup (scheduled to be played at Bethpage) would, instead, be played at Nassau Country Club (as the first two days had been). The good news, for us at least, is that the PGA of America was depositing into my ticket account a pair of grounds passes and a parking pass to attend on Wednesday in addition to Thursday.

I walked the 10 steps next door to my dad’s room for a quick confab. We were about three-and-a-half hours from the shuttle lot on Long Island’s Jones Beach State Park, we could be on the grounds, I estimated, by about noon, without pushing too hard.

It was decided we’d shoot for Wednesday attendance to see what we could see and play a possible return Thursday by ear.

Where’s the Golf?

^{Clockwise from upper left, the view toward the grandstand complex surrounding the 18th green and the 1st tee; Rory McIlroy over a chip shot from the round on No. 18; the scoreboard with the Celebrity All-Star matches listed; Tommy Fleetwood strolls off the tee box at No. 18; that’s tennis great John McEnroe walking over the players’ crosswalk to the clubhouse; The People’s Plaza was teeming with, well, people; dad and took time to pose for this photo on No. 18.}

At past golf tournaments – namely the 2024 U.S. Open and the 2024 Open Championship – the practice days made for a more relaxed environment, the ability to get – perhaps – a little closer to the players, and generally see the course in a more leisurely manner.

This was all part of my calculus (in addition to the financial savings) for attending the Ryder Cup on Thursday, turned Wednesday.

The added benefit of visiting Thursday would be the ability to see the Junior Ryder Cup’s final round so I could, technically, one day say, “Yeah, I saw the 2025 Ryder Cup” but just keep the “junior” part silent;-)

With our move to Wednesday attendance, there were ramifications. First, there was no Junior Ryder Cup to watch. There was a Celebrity All-Star Match pitting eight American celebrities against eight Europeans over a 10-hole pairs match. Sadly, those matches were in the process of finishing as we walked into The People’s Plaza, the massive fan central-esque located between the entrance and practice range and the No. 1 tee and No. 18 green grandstand complex.

As the celebs left the course, I presumed Team USA and Team Europe would have their time.

I presumed incorrectly.

Though we’d been told by volunteers on the grounds that Team USA had started on the front nine and planned to play all 18 it, in fact, called it a day after the ninth hole (which is at located at the far point of the course). Team Europe was slated to play the back nine (and only the back nine) all along and they were heading for 18 about the time we made our way to the main grandstand which, inexplicably, was to be closed from 12:30-2:30 p.m. so no incoming fans were permitted to enter.

So we made the most of what we could and trundled down the hill alongside the 18th fairway to catch some glimpes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Aberg, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Justin Rose as they completed their practice for the day.

And that was pretty much it for live golf:-(

Exploring the Course

Arnold Palmer Way Sign — **^{Formerly known as Round Swamp Road, this road runs through Bethpage Black Golf Course. Thirteen holes are on one side, the remaining five on the opposite.}**

The Opening Ceremonies pre-show was to begin during the 4 o’clock hour, which meant I had a couple hours to explore what I could on the course.

As the hilliness and large footprint of course were posing somewhat problematic for my dad, we agreed on a meeting spot in about an hour and a half. From there, we’d touch base to see how we were both feeling and what we’d plan to do moving forward.

Thanks to a steady stream of spectators returning from the outer reaches of Bethpage, I felt akin to a fish swimming upstream and didn’t get quite as far as I’d hoped.

I did make it across Round Swamp Road – which was renamed Arnold Palmer Way in the leadup to this year’s Ryder Cup – to check out hole Nos. 2, 3, 14, and 13. Back on the other side, I was able to see Nos. 1, 15, and 17.

^{Clockwise from upper left, the view from the tee at No. 3, a 200-plus yard par-3; a look at the flagstick at No. 14 through some of the native growth behind a greenside bunker; the look up the approach to No. 14, the shortest par-3 on the course; No. 17 is also a par-3; and a look off the teebox at No. 15, a lengthy par-4.}

Back to the Top of the Hill

**^{Total chaos greeted me when I arrived at the Ryder Cup Shop. There was no queuing ropes or anyone out front to control the flow of people.}**

After meeting dad we decided to grab a bite to eat and find a spot for him to watch the Opening Ceremonies on one of the video boards while I’d attempt to watch from a bit closer.

One of the highlights of the 2025 Ryder Cup experience was the all-inclusive nature of our tickets. It was the first time either of us had experienced the ability to grab any food and/or soft drinks from the food service areas and go. Unless you were purchasing an alcholic beverage, there was no transaction to be had, which made for an efficient process; just grab the hot or chilled items you desired out of the warmers/coolers, and carry on with your day. I know our 2026 PGA Championship tickets include this feature and I’m already looking forward to its hassle-free nature.

While dad was set up out of the way in the shade, with a breeze, and views of a video board, I set off to visit the Ryder Cup Shop (big mistake!) and, ultimately, make my way over next to the No. 1 tee grandstand to see some of the Opening Ceremony.

Unlike the other major golf events I’ve visited, there was no queuing sytem, ropes, etc., to provide some order to what looked rather chaotic and time consuming. A quick pivot found me snapping a couple of quick picks of players on the practice range (thank you, Justin Thomas, for allowing me to see at least one Team USA player hit a golf shot!) and then back to claim a spot along the top of the hill to see the Ceremony.

^{Clockwise from upper left, a post with the Bethpage State Park logo on it; a view of the clubhouse; these Team Europe fans, no doubt, had an enjoyable weekend; these three Black Hawk helicopters conducted a ceremonial flyover during the Opening Ceremony; Team Europe player John Rahm hits a shot on the practice range; both teams on the stage following their introduction; the starter hut for Bethpage Black; the view of the sky as U.S. Army Golden Knight’s descend toward the course; my lone American golfer sighting, Justin Thomas, on the practice range.}

DJ Jay Jung, the regular in-house DJ of both the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets, kept the crowd entertained by spinning a variety of tunes until the afternoon’s host, NBC’s Carson Daly, arrived onstage to introduce various dignitaries – including a wildly unpopular (with this crowd, at least) New York Governor Kathy Hochul – and, utlimately, the two squads.

If I’m being honest, aside from the people watching leading up to the teams entering the stage, it was a bit underwhelming. And, following the introductions of the two squads, I made my way back over to pick up dad, visit the now-empty Ryder Cup Shop, and head for the shuttle bus pick up.

Would I do it again?

No and, in fact, while we had grounds passes for Thursday – thanks to steady rain and a cloud deck about the height of your home the next morning – we decided to forego the opportunity in preference of a couple of sidetrips (see that post here) that might have been as enjoyable as our time spent on the Bethpage grounds.

Next time, I’ll be watching from home and, unless you’re springing for reserved grandstand seating, I’d suggest the same to you.

Dad and I in front of the Ryder Cup Display — **^{Some visual evidence that dad and I made it to the site of the 2025 Ryder Cup.}**

Event 6 – USA! USA! USA!

September 18, 2024September 17, 2024DouglasTHillLeave a comment

The Solheim Cup — **^{The author and his brush with the Solheim Cup.}**

To the best of my recollection, I’ve only attended one sporting event that was a nation vs. nation situation. That was a 2002 preliminary round FIBA Men’s World Championship game between the United States and Germany in Indianapolis’s now-razed RCA Dome. The U.S. won, 104-87, and if there were chants of USA! USA! USA! I certainly don’t remember them.

So, to say that I was looking forward to attending the 2024 Solheim Cup as part of my “Around the World in 80 Sporting Events” project would be an understatement.

That it happened to be a women’s sporting event only added to my anticipation.

Perhaps you’ve noticed: Women’s sports are enjoying a moment! From the University of Nebraska hosting an outdoor volleyball match before 92,003 fans at Memorial Stadium last August to U.S. Women’s Soccer outshining their male counterparts to the USA Women’s Basketball Team having won eight consecutive Olympic gold medals to the whole Caitlin Clark impact on NCAA and WNBA basketball.

Salaries are increasing (though too slowly), television coverage is far more prevalent, and endorsement opportunities seem to be on the uptick. Heck, there are even sports bars whose business model is women’s sports.

I know to do justice to the Around the World project, I need to get to more women’s sporting events. I’m pleased the schedule worked to get me to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, VA, to see Team USA host Team Europe in what’s usually a biennial event. Due to COVID disruptions, it was contested in both 2023 and 2024. Team Europe has owned the cup for the last three competitions.

Egg Meet Face, Face Meet Egg

First Tee Grandstand — **^{The first tee grandstand shortly before play began in the Solheim Cup.}**

It appears, by all accounts, that the LPGA (tasked with organizing the Solheim Cup on American soil) was ill-prepared to meet this moment.

My father and I benefitted from a gifted VIP Parking Pass that allowed us to park on the grounds at RTJGC rather than at the Jiffy Lube Live amphitheater where parking and shuttle busses was to occur.

Though I’d not been to an event like this, previously, I’d seen Ryder, President, and Solheim Cups on TV before and the first tee was always a jam-packed, raucous environment.

To be clear, we could hear the bass pumping as soon as we had our tickets scanned so the party was definitely happening. The thing is, not many folks showed up. The grandstand was, perhaps, two-thirds full. I figured either the Solheim Cup was not as popular as I’d thought or fans simply didn’t care to wake up as early as necessary for the opening tee shots of the competition.

Turns out it was neither.

A massive shortage of shuttle busses was secured by the LPGA for the event and thousands of fans at Jiffy Lube Live were waiting in queues for more than two hours before they made their way onto the grounds.

^{Clockwise from upper left, the entrance at the Fan Zone was eerily empty at arrival time; Team Europe fans seemed outnumber Team America to start the day; that included fans in banana costumes.}

Eventually, all ticketholders received an email from LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan apologizing for the “transportation experience.”

We want to deeply apologize if this morning’s transportation experience at the 2024 Solheim Cup impacted your enjoyment of the event. We certainly understand how frustrating this must have been.

We recognize the importance of efficient transportation to ensure that your day at the tournament is enjoyable from start to finish. We’ve made significant changes to our transportation system to mitigate these issues moving forward.

As an apology, the LPGA downloaded all patrons two additional weekend passes to their Seat Geek accounts.

Sadly, we weren’t going to be around to take advantage of the gesture.

Party Atmosphere

I’ve never been to the TPC Scottdale’s 16th Hole at the Waste Management Open – easily golf’s biggest party hole, presently – but I’ve gotta believe the first tee at these team events replicate it on a much smaller – and less-intoxicated – manner.

^{First introductions.}

^{Team Europe Vice-Captains clearly felt like dancing.}

^{Metallica for intro music!?!}

A Unique Golf Viewing Experience

Marshal Placcard — **^{You don’t see many marshal signs at typical golf tournaments asking for noise, do you?}**

As I’ve already been to the U.S. Open (Event 1) and The Open Championship (Event 2), this whole being a spectator at a golf tournament thing was sort of second nature by now.

Or was it?

On Day 1 of the Solheim Cup there were a total of eight groups playing (four in the morning and four in the afternoon). The morning was foursomes (e.g. alternate shot by teammates) and the afternoon was four ball (e.g. best ball of the teammates) so there really is not a lot spots to catch the action.

The options are, seemingly, to pick a group and follow it or pick a spot and settle in. After seeing the introductions and the eight tee shots, my dad and I checked the Great Lawn (a massive green space below the clubhouse with concessions and seating as well as a stage for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies), and then we found our way to Holes No. 15-18 to ensure we had a feel for what the finishing holes might look like as the weekend wore on.

Once done, we found our way to the 14th green which had an amphitheater feel about it and settled in for what would wind up being a couple hour wait for golfers to get to us.

And while we waited, we visited with those around us, including the woman next to me from Virginia whose daughter was serving as a marshal at the 14th so she too decided to set up shop. Her husband, I learned, was in the Pentagon on 9/11. He was unharmed but she shared how powerful the phone call she’d received was, the uneasiness she felt, and having to speak to her mother-in-law later when she called to see if her son was OK.

And if we weren’t visiting, we (e.g. me) might have done some wandering.

I took a walkabout to the Fan Zone which was now filled with folks. And while I didn’t hit any golfballs or participate in any of the mini-golf, I applaud the organizers for having things to do for all ages of spectators.

I did, however, grab a photo with some of my favorites European fans of the day. I’ll call them the Sunflower Gals for lack of a formal name. They were, seemingly, everywhere on this opening day. Like us, they were in the gallery at the first tee and they eventually found their way to the 14th green and I’ve no doubt they were darlings of the television cameras.

^{The author and the Sunflower Gals in the Solheim Cup Fan Zone. The Sunflower Gals made an appearance at the 14th green a bit later.}

We eventually saw action, but it was relatively uneventful. There were a few shots that found their way into the water in front of No. 14 and some near miss putts but, ultimately, no decisions were made on No. 14 and it was, for the most part, devoid of excitement.

That changed in the afternoon.

Caddies — **^{The caddies for Europe’s Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark look on.}**

No. 2 for the Road

Understanding that we were not likely to battle what would now be masses at the first tee for afternoon introductions or hoof it to the back of the course to see some new holes, we decided to wander over from the 14th green to the 2nd green.

Again, we had our pick of spots to stake our claim. We settled on the back left (as you face the hole) of the green. It turned fortuitous when the greenskeepers finished rolling the green and a new hole was cut on our side of the green.

Suddenly, we were getting up close and personal with all of the competitors.

^{Clockwise from upper left, greenskeepers cut a new pin placement for the afternoon; our view of said pin with four shots on the green; Nelly Korda over her putt at No. 2; Leona Maguire looks at her break; Rose Zhang replaces her ball before putting; Lexi Thompson’s approach shot nearly wound up on my foot; Thompson prepares to play her shot; Sarah Schmelzel also found her way over the green.}

Suns Out, Guns Out!

After seeing all four afternoon groups play the second, we made our way back to the 14th green and prepared to wait for their arrival.

By now, all of those folks who waited out the transportation woes were at the course, so we no longer had our choice of spots. My dad secured a spot next to the camera tower that afforded an excellent view of this reachable par 5. And while there was a lengthy wait for the players to arrive, it was worth it.

Team USA’s Nelly Korda and Megan Khang had an opportunity to close out Team Europe’s Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire. Korda did just that by draining an eagle putt

^{Team USA’s Nelly Korda sinks the match-clinching eagle putt.}

The next group to make it to No. 14 included Team USA’s Lauren Coughlin who nearly holed out for eagle on her approach.

^{Team USA’s Lauren Coughlin nearly chipped in for an eagle on No. 14.}

Finally, it lacked the exciting finish (just a missed putt by Team Europe’s Charley Hull) of that first match to make it to No. 14, but the final quartet to arrive also yielded a match-clincher for the American duo of Andrea Lee and Rose Zhang who won 5 & 4.

^{With this Charley Hull missed eagle putt, Team USA closes out this match.}

A Long and Enjoyable Day

My alarm began its work at 4:30 in the morning and I began making my way to the Solheim Cup Shop to meet my dad at about 4:30 in the afternoon. All told, we were at the course for just under 10 hours and probably witnessed fewer than 40 shots in total.

Some might say, Doug, you’re crazy!

And on many days, I might be inclined to agree.

But this wasn’t one of those days.

It was more than just spectating. It was that down time waiting for the golfers to get to you and the conversations you’re having with strangers from various parts of the world.

Beyond the Virginian I referenced earlier, I also had wonderful chats with a group of four friends from Richmond who had a blast just spending time together on a sunny and warm Friday afternoon. One of them was even a former teacher in Southfield (MI) near where I live which confirms my thinking that this world is smaller than we know. And then there was a pair of friends from Massachusetts who’d never visited Washington, D.C., and took advantage of the Solheim Cup as an opportunity to roadtrip together and see our nation’s capital; and boy, did they: White House tour, U.S. Capitol tour, day and night tours of the monuments, Smithsonian Natural History Museum, and the Holocaust Memorial. There was also the lady from California who’d never been to D.C. either and reconnected with an old friend who lives just outside the Beltway for a visit, touring, and some golf watching. How about the fella from the Phoenix area who hopes to follow the PGA Tour to all its western U.S. stops someday? Or the lady from near Princeton, NJ, whose parents introduced her and her siblings to the game of golf at an early age and has been hooked ever since. This, she said, was a natural outgrowth of what her now deceased parents would do if they were still with us.

Easily the most infectious and enjoyable interaction I had all day was with the youngster in the photo below. As we sat next to the TV camera tower on No. 14, one of the NBC/Golf Channel reporters, Amy Rogers, appeared inside the ropes next to the tower. This youngster – who I learned quickly is a big Nelly Korda fan – was her son. We chit-chatted as we awaited the first group to arrive at the 14th green, he made me put on my foam USA finger, and he also ensured I was participating in the “USA! USA! USA!” chants … especially following that eagle putt by Korda.

So. Much. Fun.