Ryder Cup Tickets Surprise: A Gift for New York Golf Fans
Imagine strolling through your favorite golf course in the New York area, perhaps just enjoying a casual day on the greens, when suddenly, you find yourself holding a pair of tickets to one of the most prestigious events in golf. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for some lucky golf enthusiasts, this dream is about to become a reality. The PGA of America has announced an exciting initiative called “The People’s Perk,” where they will be giving away free tickets to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. This surprise giveaway is set to unfold over the next five months, and it’s sure to create quite a buzz among golf fans in the region.
So, how does this work? The PGA of America, in collaboration with the Metropolitan PGA Section, will be selecting various public golf courses across Long Island and the New York City metro area. These courses will be the lucky spots where unsuspecting fans might just find themselves with a golden ticket. The process is entirely random, and there’s no telling when or where the PGA of America will make their surprise visits. It’s a bit like a golf-themed lottery, and the prize is a chance to witness the Ryder Cup in person.
But that’s not all. In addition to the random giveaways, there will be special visits dedicated to honoring area first responders and community groups. These visits will feature leaders from the PGA of America and special Ryder Cup guests, making the experience even more memorable for those involved.
Now, let’s talk about the Ryder Cup itself. Scheduled for September 28-30, the event will take place on the infamous Black course at Bethpage State Park. This course has a storied history, having hosted two U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship. In fact, the first U.S. Open at a true public course was held here in 2002, earning it the nickname “The People’s Open.” It’s only fitting that the Ryder Cup, one of the toughest tickets in golf, is being celebrated with a giveaway that truly embodies the spirit of the people.
Speaking of tough tickets, the Ryder Cup is right up there with the Masters in terms of demand. For the 2025 matches, ticket prices for competition days, which include food and nonalcoholic drinks, were set at $750. That’s more than double the price from the last U.S.-hosted Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in 2021. With over 500,000 people registering to buy tickets, it’s no wonder they sold out in just a few hours when they went on sale on November 13.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the giveaway details:
- 500 tickets will be given away each day from Tuesday through Sunday.
- Each lucky recipient will receive vouchers for two tickets.
- Those receiving tickets for the Tuesday-Thursday practice days can take advantage of the junior admission policy, allowing kids 15 or under to enter for free with a ticketed adult.
Don Rea Jr., the president of the PGA of America, expressed his excitement about “The People’s Perk,” stating, “This is a special way for us to celebrate the unparalleled dedication and enthusiasm of the New York golf community by providing them with a memorable experience at the 2025 Ryder Cup.” He added, “The PGA of America is proud to share the excitement of golf’s greatest team event with our host community. We cannot wait to welcome the lucky ticket recipients this September as we all rally behind Captain Keegan Bradley and the United States team.”
As for the competition itself, the Europeans are coming off a victory two years ago at Marco Simone in Italy. They’ve been dominant in recent years, winning eight of the last 11 Ryder Cups. However, their last win on U.S. soil was back in 2012 at Medinah. With the Ryder Cup returning to American turf, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation and hope that the U.S. team, led by Captain Keegan Bradley, can reclaim the trophy.
So, if you’re a golf fan in the New York area, keep your eyes peeled and your fingers crossed. You never know when you might be the next lucky recipient of “The People’s Perk.” And for those who do get the chance to attend, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience, filled with the excitement and camaraderie that only the Ryder Cup can deliver.
Originally Written by: Associated Press