In an unprecedented agreement between The PGA of America and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., one of the country’s most popular venues, has been selected to host the 101st PGA Championship in 2019, and serve as the site of the 45th Ryder Cup in 2024.
With Gov. Cuomo in attendance, the dual announcement was made today at Bethpage State Park. Bethpage Black, the renowned gem of five public golf courses within the state park property on Long Island, has hosted the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open Championship, and the 2012 Barclays Championship.
“How fitting it is that we will be taking two of golf’s premier events to a state that was the site of our first PGA Championship and to a spectacular course whose design was influenced by one of golf’s most accomplished architects and a friend of The PGA of America,” said PGA of America President Ted Bishop. “It is exciting that both the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup will come to New York, which is home to some of the most passionate and knowledgeable sports fans in the world.”
Opened for play in 1936, Bethpage Black was designed by legendary architect A.W. Tillinghast, who was a guest at an exploratory meeting of The PGA of America in January, 1916. After The PGA’s founding on April 10, 1916, Tillinghast would later serve as a forerunner to today’s “growth of the game” consultants. Rees Jones led the renovation of the Black Course in 1997-98.
Tillinghast also developed the Bethpage Red and Blue Courses, and modified the Lenox Hills Course, which later became the Green Course. The Yellow Course, designed by Alfred Tull, opened in 1958 to enable golfers to play nearly 300,000 rounds annually on Bethpage State Park’s property.
“New York is excited that Bethpage State Park and its spectacular Black Course will be hosting two of golf’s most acclaimed events, the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup,” said Governor Cuomo. “These major sporting events will provide a tremendous economic boost for Long Island and promote the beautiful Bethpage State Golf Course to the nation and the world. We look forward to welcoming spectators and television viewers worldwide to experience the best golf here in New York.”
Bethpage Black, measuring 7,486 yards and played to a par 71 from its back tees, also has been home to multiple Metropolitan PGA Section and New York State Open competitions.
“As a New Yorker, I can’t tell you how excited I am to be a part of today’s announcement,” said PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Pete Bevacqua. “New York is part of the fabric of the history of The PGA of America, from our founding in New York City in 1916, to hosting multiple championships and having four great PGA Sections within the state. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo’s commitment to hosting these great events at Bethpage and we look forward to working with both local and state officials to add an unforgettable chapter in golf history at Bethpage.”
In 2019, Bethpage Black will mark the 13th time that a New York venue has hosted the PGA Championship, the most for any state that has staged the season’s final major. The PGA Championship enjoys a rich heritage dating back to its inaugural event in 1916 at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, N.Y. Past Champions span both the legendary and recent stars of the game: Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Keegan Bradley, Rory McIlroy and Jason Dufner.
“Bethpage State Park takes great pride in its history of serving as host to golf’s pre-eminent events,” said New York State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. “With the combination of a PGA Championship and a Ryder Cup being conducted on our property, it solidifies the confidence that the golf industry has in our staff, our venue and the community to provide the ultimate spectator experience.”
In 2024, Bethpage Black will join Oak Hill Country Club’s East Course of Pittsford, N.Y., as the only New York courses to host a Ryder Cup. Oak Hill was the venue for the 1995 Ryder Cup in addition to three PGA Championships (1980, 2003, ’13).
The Ryder Cup, golf’s most compelling event, began in 1927, bringing together the finest tour professionals from the United States and Europe. In September 2014, Europe will host the U.S. in the 40th Ryder Cup, at Gleneagles’ PGA Centenary Course in Perthshire, Scotland.
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