Live From the First Tee: Detailing a Long-Awaited Experience at the Ryder Cup

In 2013, the PGA of America announced the 2024 Ryder Cup would head to Bethpage Black on my native Long Island. I was 14 years old. Today, 12 years and one global pandemic later, that Ryder Cup is finally underway. If you’re into math, you can see that I have waited almost half of my time on this Earth for this day to occur. Was I ever missing the scene on the first tee? Absolutely not. 

5:15 a.m. – Media shuttle leaves parking lot. It feels like a field trip! They’re not playing a movie on the TV screens of the coach bus (or a Don Rea hype video). Feels like a miss.

5:41 a.m. – Still on the shuttle. It’s pitch black out, and guys in full American flag jumpsuits are walking down main roads with no sidewalks. Hell yeah. Is this going to take 40 minutes for what is usually an eight-minute journey? Yes!

5:50 a.m. – We are through the gate! Vibes are high. Feeling good. Fans are already lining the driving range even though it’s completely empty. Tyrrell Hatton’s caddie is on the practice green, though.

5:57 a.m. – Through security at the grandstand. The Secret Service agents could use some coffee.

5:59 a.m. – Greeted by the sounds of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” There are better songs. At least we haven’t hit “Pumped Up Kicks” yet!

6:03 a.m. – Brendan! is here. We have discovered that the media radios do not come with headphones or an earpiece. These have now been deemed useless pieces of junk. *Editor's Note: Headphones were later found in the box.

6:07 a.m. – “What the f— is this?” Brendan is unfamiliar with Billy Ray Cyrus’s verse in “Old Town Road.” I can’t say I’m surprised.

6:12 a.m. – The on-course DJ (not a fan, personally) has started a U-S-A chant in the most cringey way possible. He’s now playing “Coming to America” by Neil Diamond. You know, there are two types of people in this world: those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don’t. I am the latter.

6:18 a.m. – The sun is beginning to peak out from behind the stage. There’s a moderate amount of disbelief settling in for me that this is actually happening.

6:19 a.m. – “Born in the USA” is on. Volume on 11. All sense of disbelief is gone. We are not a serious people.

6:23 a.m. – Distinct lack of chanting going on from the American fans. Maybe it’s the incessant dubstep. Maybe it’s a lack of pride. Maybe the country lacks musical talent. Could be anything.

6:32 a.m. – Camera crews are now staging “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants with some Euros in front of us. Can you stage a chant? Is that allowed? Feels like it loses all meaning. 

6:33 a.m. – DJ is playing AKON! I’m back in.

6:36 a.m. – The first tee emcee has taken the mic. This is one of the most cringeworthy experiences of my life. She just asked for applause for the DJ. There was… basically none.

6:41 a.m. –  It is T-SHIRT TIME! A T-shirt toss always gets the people going. Only went to the front four rows or so, but still.

6:45 a.m. – First true singalong of the morning: “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Don’t know that we could be farther from the moonshine in the Blue Ridge Mountains but sure, let’s get nuts.

6:47 a.m. – To be completely honest, I’m disappointed in the crowd. Like a Rangers playoff game at the Garden, the real fans are priced out! They’re starting a different chant during the crescendo of “New York, New York.” Get outta here.

6:54 a.m. – Keegan Bradley has arrived on the tee. The people are going. They’re chanting his name. He could run for Governor of New York and likely win right now.

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6:56 a.m. – The European contingent emerges from the tunnel to hearty boos. Nicolai Hojgaard is part of the braintrust! Is this an upgrade on being the 12th man?

6:58 a.m. – Crowd breaks out into the National Anthem. Keegan looks like he might cry. Hell yeah.

7:02 a.m. –  Flyover time! Breaking out the big bomber plane. Awesome.

7:04 a.m. – “F- You Rory” chants begin as he’s shown warming up on the Jumbotron. We are starting HOT!

7:06 a.m. – The European fans are attempting to start a thunderclap. The keyword is attempting.

7:07 a.m. –  The Big Golfer and Justin Thomas walk out of the tunnel draped in the Stars and Stripes. The lid may blow off this place. 

7:09 a.m. – Legion XIII has arrived. They have crossed the Rubicon and entered the Coliseum of the Caddie Boy.

7:10 a.m. – Announcements are made. Things are yelled. People are ready. 

7:11 a.m. – Balls are in the air. It’s a good day to have a day.