Ryder Cup Volunteers Arrive at Bethpage Black

A Major Event on Long Island

Over 250,000 spectators are expected to descend on Long Island next week for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park. The event is set to bring a significant amount of excitement and activity to the area, with security measures and road closures already in place. The magic of the moment has already begun, as CBS News New York's Jennifer McLogan visited the Black Course, which is still undergoing its final preparations.

Volunteers from Around the World

Thousands of volunteers are making their way to the event, with some of the 4,300 participants from 46 states and 28 countries arriving for what many consider the Super Bowl of professional golf. These volunteers will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the tournament, taking on tasks ranging from giving directions to maintaining the cleanliness of Bethpage State Park.

Volunteers like Marc Cope from London and Robert Heuer from New York have expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and contribute to the event. Paul Masi, a golf ranger at Bethpage Black, shared his insights into the daily operations, explaining how players and caddies manage the course.

Economic Impact and Community Involvement

The Ryder Cup is anticipated to be a massive economic boon for Long Island. The event will feature the largest merchandise tent ever for a PGA event, offering a wide range of items, including replicas of player uniforms. Some of the proceeds will go towards supporting veterans through the PGA Hope and Reach Foundation.

Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the pride that comes with hosting such a high-profile event, noting that the eyes of the world will be on New York. Matt Cohen, CEO of the Long Island Association, highlighted the potential economic impact, estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in activity.

Local residents are also benefiting from the event, with many renting out their homes and driveways to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Transportation and Parking Information

Getting to Bethpage State Park will require careful planning due to the large crowds expected. There is no public parking or drop-offs at or around the park. The best way to reach the course is by taking the Long Island Rail Road to Farmingdale. Extra train service will be available throughout the tournament, with a special event ticket priced at $175.

Shuttle buses will be offered free of charge from Jones Beach and the Farmingdale LIRR station starting Monday. Drivers can also park at several LIRR stations for free on weekends and take a train. Rideshare users will be directed to a designated lot during the event.

The Format and Rosters

The Ryder Cup is held every two years, with each team consisting of six automatic qualifiers based on their performance in mid-August and six captain's picks. Team USA's automatic qualifiers include Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.

Captain Keegan Bradley added Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Ben Griffin, Sam Burns, and Cameron Young to the roster. Team Europe's lineup is similar to the 2023 squad, featuring Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Rasmus Höjgaard, along with captain's picks Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Jon Rahm.

The competition will feature a combination of match play formats over three days, including foursomes, four ball, and singles. Each match is worth one point, and a team needs at least 14.5 points to win the Ryder Cup. The U.S. holds the record for most wins, but since the event switched to a U.S. vs. Europe format in 1979, Europe leads 12-11, including a recent victory of 16.5-11.5.