Keegan Bradley, the second-youngest Ryder Cup captain, has fond memories of Bethpage Black, a course that feels like home. His passion and resilience for golf increased when he saw St. John and Bethpage State Park—home to five courses—for the first time—a love at first sight! The result as he graduated from St. John’s was that he had compiled nine titles to his trophy cabinet.

“It’s my favorite course in the world, and I have a lot of really great memories. I’ve played the course hundreds of times,” recalled the 38-year-old before the 101st PGA Championship held at Bethpage in 2019. “It was just so special to go out there and play.” He and his St. John’s teammates often sneak onto Bethpage Black on Mondays, when the course is closed to the public. They had special arrangements with the superintendent, who allowed them to play holes 3–14, as long as they avoided the other side of the course and the clubhouse. 

Bradley added on to the support from his superintendent: “We were all so grateful for the superintendent letting us play. He used to give me a hard time whenever I talked about it, but the secret was out, and it’s hard not to talk about it.” Elaborating his love for the course. “We’d play in one group—seven, eight, nine of us—and we’d play as much as we could. It was so fun. I’m not sure many people ever got to do that, to have that great a course to themselves.”

However, he made his first-ever hole-in-one at the Red Course, more importantly, in front of his mother. The 2025 Ryder Cup captain further boasts a significant connection with Bethpage Black, also because it became the first public course to host the U.S. Open in 2002 and again in 2009. Moreover, he could not qualify for the 2009 US Open as he missed the sectional qualifiers. But his love remains intact as he heads on with Team US to conquer his Ryder Cup dream.

What made Bethpage Black a course that Bradley loved?

Bethpage Black’s formidable and intimidating force, which pushes golfers to their limits, makes it different from the other courses. The warning sign at the first tee, which recommends the course only for highly skilled golfers, is a testament to its challenging nature. Bradley explained, “Every hole out there is tough, and that’s fitting for New York; New Yorkers in general consider it their home course. They want to see their course stand up to the best players in the game. And it will.”

The course has already proved its fortitude, with only a handful of players breaking par in past tournaments. Tiger Woods was the only one to break par over 72 holes during his 2002 win. In 2009, Lucas Glover, the US Open winner, became one of five players to break par. “It would be great to put it all together at Bethpage,” he said in 2019, and we are sure he must be repeating his words right now, and will continue to do so until the patriotic showdown next year!

Will the 6x PGA Tour winner, with his deep-rooted passion and intimate knowledge of Bethpage Black, lead Team USA to victory in the 2025 Ryder Cup?