Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Economic Impact of $150 Million Projected for Long Island and Greater Metropolitan New York Area

225,000 Spectators Expected for Event's Return to New York State

The Commissioner of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) Erik Kulleseid and Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight are proud to lead a New York State delegation to officially welcome the Ryder Cup, golf's pre-eminent event, to Bethpage State Park in 2025.

"We are honored by our growing partnership with the PGA of America and look forward to welcoming fans from around the world when the biennial Ryder Cup returns to the United States at Bethpage State Park in September 2025," said Commissioner Kulleseid. "Bethpage Black is considered one of the top golf courses in the world and our Parks team is already working on preparations to showcase ‘The People's Country Club' when the golf world's spotlight shines on our state park in two years. As a state park, the course welcomes public play and has hosted several professional major championships including two U.S. Opens and the PGA Championship."

Commissioner Knight said, "The 2025 Ryder Cup is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the best of New York State to a global audience. This trip will inform our collaborative efforts to promote and execute this event for a dynamic international fanbase and will provide a firsthand look at the various operational aspects behind the Ryder Cup in real time. I am grateful for the opportunity to join my colleagues in State government on this trip to welcome the next Ryder Cup competition, and to encourage new relationships between New York State and global businesses." 

Commissioner Kulleseid and Commissioner Knight will officially receive the Ryder Cup hand-off in Rome, Italy this week as the golf event's next host, along with Bethpage State Park Director Scott Matson. The State Parks' team will be meeting with PGA of America officials at the 2023 tournament to gain firsthand experience about course and concession set-up, agronomy, and operational planning necessary for hosting what is expected to be one of, if not, the biggest tournament in the history of golf. An expected 225,000 fans will converge on the New York State Park, which will see an unprecedented infrastructure build out nearly 40% larger than the 2019 PGA Championship at the same course

Commissioner Knight will be joined by ESD Senior Vice President of Marketing Richard Gagliano and will hold strategic and operational preparation meetings with the PGA of America to highlight marketing and sponsorship opportunities for 2025. The conclusion of the Rome event will mark the start of New York State's promotional efforts for the 2025 event, and I LOVE NY will be encouraging fans to plan an extended New York State getaway as part of their Ryder Cup travel itinerary. Additionally, Commissioner Knight plans to meet with government officials and business associations to better highlight the strong trade and investment relationships between New York State and Italy.

The Ryder Cup is a global television event, consisting of five matches contested over three days between two 12-member teams from the United States and Europe. The competition alternates host sites every two years between American and European venues.

Bethpage Black will host the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2025, joining Oak Hill Country Club (1995) in Rochester as the only courses in New York State to host the Ryder Cup.

First opened for public play in 1936, the Black Course at Bethpage State Park was designed by legendary architect A.W. Tillinghast, who was part of an exploratory meeting in New York City to create The PGA of America in January 1916. The PGA of America is made up of 27,000 men and women who teach and run golf facilities around the world to grow the game of golf.

Bethpage Black hosted the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009, the 2019 PGA Championship, as well as numerous tournaments run by the PGA of America, New York State Golf Association and the Metropolitan Golf Association. The PGA expects the tournament to generate an economic impact of nearly $150 million across Long Island and the Greater Metropolitan New York area.

Several state agencies will partner with State Parks for the Ryder Cup including Empire State Development, the NYS Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Division of the Budget, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Division of Military and Naval Affairs, Information Technology Services, New York State Police, the Office of General Services, along with numerous local law enforcement and government entities.

About New York State Parks

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 79.5 million visits in 2022. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the OPRHP Blog. 

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York's chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY" the State's iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.