Report: Why famous Bethpage sign was removed before Ryder Cup
According to Golf Channel, the PGA of America removed Bethpage State Park's Black Course sign because of "logistical issues".
Those planning to attend the 2025 Ryder Cup were left a tad disappointed when it was revealed the PGA of America had removed Bethpage Black's famous sign.
Bethpage State Park's Black Course is extremely difficult and its sign warns only highly-skilled golfers should tee it up.
But ahead of this week's Ryder Cup it disappeared, with the folks at Fried Egg Golf the first to show the sign-less railing exposed on Saturday afternoon.
Plenty of golf fans speculated the reason why. Were the PGA of America worried about some drunk fans stealing it?
Was it because Collin Morikawa made the US team? Was it removed to help the European team feel more comfortable? Did they just not want to upset the LIV Golf players?
Turns out it was none of the above.
According to Golf Channel, the sign was removed to deter people congregating for photo opportunities near the grandstand.
"It just wouldn't have worked out," Bryan Karns, director of the Ryder Cup, told the New York Post.
The original sign has been shipped to Manhattan to be displayed during the Ryder Cup Live Fan Zone inside the Rockefeller Centre.
Several replicas have been placed throughout Bethpage Black, though, so fans can still take photos.
It just won't be the sign.
NO SIGN: the Black Course is no longer for highly skilled golfers ahead of this year’s Ryder Cup pic.twitter.com/xcQlXTcOoj
— The Shotgun Start (@TheShotgunStart) September 20, 2025
The 2025 Ryder Cup gets underway next Friday.
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