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PGA Championship, Ryder Cup Coming to Bethpage Black

Phil Mickelson putting at Bethpage Black during The Barclays tournament last year. (Kevin Kane/Long Island Press)
Phil Mickelson putting at Bethpage Black during The Barclays tournament last year. (Kevin Kane/Long Island Press)

Bethpage Black, the crown jewel of public courses in the region, will play host to two PGA tournaments officials announced Tuesday, the 101st PGA Championship and the 45th Ryder Cup.

The downside: Long Islanders are going to have to wait a little while.

The PGA Championship, one of four major PGA tournaments, will come to Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale in 2019, and the Ryder Cup, which features an all-star roster of European and American golfers, in 2024.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gushed about the boost both tournaments will give the local economy.

“As we continue efforts to attract these kinds of major sporting events to the State and establish New York as the top destination for sports fans, the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup tournaments will also provide a tremendous boost to the Long Island economy and put the beautiful, world-class Bethpage State Golf Course on an international stage,” he said.

The PGA Championship will mark the thirteenth time New York will play host to golf’s final major.

Bethpage Black, which just last year was the site of The Barclay’s golf tournament, is regarded as one of the top public courses in the country. The course’s raucous crowd, made up by many who play the course year-round, is also part of Bethpage’s appeal, PGA of America officials said.

“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,” PGA of America President Ted Bishop said in a statement.

Fans may also see new faces when they descend on Bethpage Black in 2019 and 2024.

Phil Mickelson, a fan favorite, and Tiger Woods, with 14 major championships, will both be at or nearing AARP age, as Associated Press golf Writer Doug Ferguson noted: