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Archives for September 2025

How Team Europe Clinched the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black

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Team USA golfers watch the scoreboard during the final day of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black

Team Europe defeated the United States 15–13 at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, marking their first win on American soil since 2012. While the final score suggests a close contest, Europe dominated the early stages, and Team USA’s furious comeback on Sunday ultimately fell just short.

Europe’s Fast Start Sets the Tone

Team Europe established firm control over the first two days of the competition, entering the Sunday singles with a commanding 11.5–4.5 lead—the largest two-day advantage in Ryder Cup history.

  • Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood were unstoppable, forming one of Europe’s most effective pairings and setting the tone early.
  • Fleetwood finished as Europe’s top point scorer for the week.
  • On the American side, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler failed to win any of his team matches, going 0–4 on Friday and Saturday.

Sunday Singles: Team USA Almost Makes History

Despite the deficit, Team USA delivered an inspired performance during the singles matches. The Americans won the session 8.5–3.5, coming within one point of completing the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history.

  • Cameron Young, a New York native, defeated Justin Rose 1-up with a clutch birdie on the 18th.
  • Justin Thomas stayed undefeated in Ryder Cup singles by beating Fleetwood 1-up.
  • Scottie Scheffler redeemed his early-week losses with a 1-up win over McIlroy.
  • Bryson DeChambeau staged a remarkable rally from five down to halve his match with Matt Fitzpatrick.

Hovland’s Injury Adds Late Drama

Just before the singles began, Europe’s Viktor Hovland withdrew with an injury, resulting in a halved match and giving Team USA a crucial point without playing. The score moved to 12–5, putting more pressure on the European side.

Shane Lowry’s Birdie Retains the Cup

With the Americans closing in, Ireland’s Shane Lowry delivered a critical half-point, draining a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to tie his match against Russell Henley. That put Europe at 14 points—enough to retain the Ryder Cup.

Hatton Secures the Win for Europe

The final full point came when Tyrrell Hatton halved his match with Collin Morikawa, officially giving Europe the 14.5 points needed to win the Cup outright.

Bethpage Black: New York’s Premier Public Golf Destination

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Warning sign at Bethpage Black golf course advising that the course is extremely difficult and recommended only for highly skilled golfers

Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, is widely regarded as one of the top public golf destinations in the country. Best known for its legendary Black Course, the park features five 18-hole layouts and a rich history of hosting major championships. As the site of the upcoming 2025 Ryder Cup, Bethpage Black continues to solidify its reputation as a crown jewel of American public golf.

A Historic Park with a Championship Legacy

Bethpage State Park was established in the early 1930s when the Bethpage Park Authority purchased the Lenox Hills Country Club and surrounding land. Famed architect A.W. Tillinghast was commissioned to design three new courses: the Black, Red, and Blue. The existing Lenox Hills course was redesigned into today’s Green Course, and in 1958, the Yellow Course was added by Alfred Tull to meet growing demand.

Bethpage Black: A True Test of Golf

The Black Course is considered one of the most challenging public golf courses in the world. A warning sign greets players at the first tee:
“WARNING – The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers.”

Known for its narrow fairways, deep rough, steep bunkers, and fast greens, the course is a walking-only course, adding physical demands to its strategic difficulty. Its reputation draws skilled amateurs, professionals, and golf fans from around the globe.

The Overnight Line and Booking Process

Playing the Black Course is a bucket-list experience, and securing a tee time is famously competitive. One of golf’s most enduring traditions lives in the overnight car line, where golfers sleep in their vehicles in numbered parking spots to secure limited “walk-up” tee times for the next day.

While online booking is now the primary method for making reservations, securing a tee time remains challenging. New York residents can book up to seven days in advance; non-residents can book up to five days in advance. Tee times often sell out within minutes, keeping the overnight line tradition alive for those who miss out on online sales.

A Proven Championship Venue

Bethpage Black has hosted some of golf’s most prestigious events, including:

  • 2002 U.S. Open – The first truly public course to host the championship
  • 2009 U.S. Open – Returned after the success of 2002
  • 2012 & 2016 The Barclays – FedExCup Playoff events on the PGA Tour
  • 2019 PGA Championship – Further cemented Bethpage’s status as a major venue

Looking ahead, Bethpage Black will host the 2025 Ryder Cup, followed by the 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2033 PGA Championship.

The Other Courses at Bethpage

While the Black Course gets the spotlight, the other four layouts offer diverse playing experiences for golfers of all skill levels:

  • Red Course – A Tillinghast design featuring tough par-4s and a challenging opening hole
  • Blue Course – A mix of difficulty and forgiveness, especially with a more relaxed back nine
  • Green Course – Originally Lenox Hills, this is a flatter, beginner-friendly course
  • Yellow Course – The newest and most forgiving layout, though still featuring some elevation

A Public Gem with Championship Prestige

Bethpage State Park has earned its nickname as “The People’s Country Club.” With five unique courses, a celebrated history, and an unmatched reputation in public golf, it stands among the most accessible yet challenging golf destinations in the world.

2025 Ryder Cup Preview: Team USA and Europe Set for Showdown at Bethpage Black

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Ryder Cup 2025 trophy on display at Bethpage Black golf course in New York

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is set to deliver one of the most anticipated showdowns in golf. From September 26 to 28, the famed Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, will host the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup as Team USA looks to reclaim the trophy from defending champions Team Europe.

Team Captains

Keegan Bradley leads Team USA in what many see as a bold and passionate choice. A two-time Ryder Cup competitor, Bradley brings intensity and a deep emotional connection to the event. His appointment marks a shift from past captaincy selections that favored older, more seasoned veterans.

For Team Europe, Luke Donald returns as captain after leading the team to a commanding 16.5 – 11.5 victory in Rome in 2023. Calm, strategic, and highly respected by players, Donald will attempt to become the first European captain since Bernard Gallacher in 1995 to win back-to-back Ryder Cups.

Team USA Roster

The U.S. team features a mix of proven stars and fresh talent. The six automatic qualifiers include Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau. Bradley’s captain’s picks round out the lineup with Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns.

Team Europe Roster

Team Europe brings depth and cohesion. The six automatic qualifiers are Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Højgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton. Donald selected Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Åberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick to complete the team.

Storylines to Watch

The crowd at Bethpage Black is expected to be loud and unapologetically pro-USA. In preparation, Team Europe has used virtual reality headsets to simulate crowd noise and distractions.

Keegan Bradley’s leadership will be under the spotlight. Known for his emotional approach to the game, the question will be whether he can translate that into effective guidance for Team USA.

All eyes will also be on World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who has already captured two major championships in 2025. His performance could be the key to Team USA’s hopes of regaining the Cup.

Thomas Bjorn Wins First PGA Tour Champions Title with 35-Foot Birdie in St. Louis Playoff

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Thomas Bjorn PGA Tour Champions win, Stifel Charity Classic 2025

St. Louis, MO – Thomas Bjorn clinched his first individual PGA Tour Champions title with a dramatic 35-foot birdie putt in a sudden-death playoff at the 2025 Stifel Charity Classic. The event concluded Sunday, September 7, at Norwood Hills Country Club, delivering a thrilling finish for golf fans in St. Louis.

The 54-year-old Danish golfer, best known for captaining the 2018 Ryder Cup-winning European team, found himself tied at 12 under par after 54 holes with Australian contender Cameron Percy. The playoff took them back to the 18th hole, where Bjorn sank a curling putt from long range to seal the win.

A Milestone Victory

While Bjorn had previously captured a team title on the senior circuit, this marks his first individual victory since joining the PGA Tour Champions. The win marks a significant milestone in his post-European Tour career, adding to a long list of international achievements.

“I’ve been working toward this one,” Bjorn noted after the round. “To win in this fashion, on a great course like Norwood Hills, makes it that much more special.”

Percy’s Final-Round Charge Falls Just Short

Cameron Percy delivered one of the tournament’s most impressive performances on Sunday, carding a final-round 64 to force the playoff. Despite his momentum, Percy couldn’t match Bjorn’s birdie on the extra hole, leaving him still searching for his first PGA Tour Champions win.

Light the Darkness 5K & 1-Mile Walk/Run 2025 in Florissant

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Light the Darkness 5K in Florissant: 2025 Run for Suicide Prevention

Unite with your community at Saint Ferdinand Park for the Light the Darkness 5K and 1-Mile Walk/Run! This powerful evening glow run is dedicated to raising awareness for suicide prevention and supporting mental health programs for youth in our schools. Whether you run, walk, or cheer, your participation makes a difference.

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
  • Location: Saint Ferdinand Park, 25 St. Ferdinand Park Dr, Florissant, MO 63031
  • Events: 5K Glow Run & 1-Mile Walk

Race Day Schedule

  • 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Race Day Packet Pickup & Family Fun Fair
  • 7:15 PM: 5K & 1-Mile Run/Walk Begins

Registration

  • $25 if registered by August 29, 2025
  • $30 from August 30 through race day

Your registration includes a custom event T-shirt and a unique finisher’s medal. Register by August 29 to guarantee your T-shirt size!

Support a Vital Cause

100% of net proceeds directly benefit two outstanding local nonprofits providing suicide prevention and mental health education in schools:

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
  • CHADS Coalition for Mental Health

Pre-Race Packet Pickup

Avoid the lines on race day! Pick up your packet at the James J. Eagan Center (1 James J Eagan Dr, Florissant, MO 63034):

  • Wednesday, Sept. 17: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
  • Thursday, Sept. 18: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Ready to Register?

Sign up online or in person at the JFK or James J. Eagan Community Centers.

For questions, please call 314-921-4250 or 314-921-4466.