Question of the week [October 21-27]: What is your opinion regarding the ticket pricing structure for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park's Black Course?
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The First Call | Extra poll and golf media’s quick pushback on the exorbitant Ryder Cup pricing is encouraging to this traveler.
Since post-COVID’s revenge travel, we have seen outrageous rates/fees at resort hotels and for destination golf course green fees and experiential concert tickets, just to name a few. Many of us thought those paying for all of this had lost their minds. It kept a lot of us off the road.
So, it’s great to see this pushback to the leaderless PGA of America who relied on consultants for this pricing and who woefully miscalculated the algorithms as to what people will actually pay to see less famous golfers go at it — even though the venue’s storied history may call for a slightly premium gate.
We’ll see how the advance tickets sell and whether the PGA has to blink on this one, and if this incident will further fan the rumors of them selling the event to another entity. It’s a shame because U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley, some good guys representing America and the current state of pro golf do not need this distraction.
Steve Moore
Birmingham, Alabama
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This is just another nail in the coffin of professional golf. The last Ryder Cup was a joke, Keegan Bradley not getting in because of the rich country club kids getting picked by Zach Johnson who did a lousy job [as U.S. captain].
Add the rift between LIV and the PGA Tour, which seems like it never will get resolved, and what we have are two inferior products played by a bunch of prima donnas who don't realize they have alienated their audiences to the point of who cares anymore.
The thing we need is for people to stop watching, for advertisers to stop advertising and for the money to dry up. Personally, my interest in all of it is at an all-time low, and gouging those dumb enough to pay $750 a day to listen to people shout out "U-S-A" and "mashed potato" serves them right.
Mark Koszyk
Prospect Heights, Illinois
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One of the worst decisions that has been made in golf in the last 100 years. This is why people look at golf as an elitist sport. Does the PGA really think it's going to get inner city kids and just normal people to come watch the Ryder Cup with tickets averaging $750 a day?
It’s absolutely ridiculous. To be honest, I just can’t believe it
Steve Pratt
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
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The collective outrage in the golf community is well deserved. These prices effectively turn the Ryder Cup into a corporate hospitality event for the rich and not an open sporting event to be enjoyed by all.
If I am a PGA Tour player, I want to get paid. They put on the show that makes all this money. No more donations to their favorite charity BS. The PGA of America has been scamming the players for years in order to keep all the cash for themselves. This is one instance where I support the greedy athlete. Share the wealth with those who really put on the show.
One vey lame explanation coming from PGA sycophants and other PR mouthpieces is the PGA of America lost money on this event for years, hence this is their opportunity to make it back. How pathetic is that explanation?
A fair ticket price should be between 350 to 450 (Friday thru Sunday). Not a penny more. Beyond that, you are gouging in an extreme way. The PGA of America should be ashamed of itself. Simply disgraceful.
Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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First, the Ryder Cup is probably the worst event to attend. There’s typically only four holes in play and the viewing site lines are horrible.
To make the ticket price so high is to limit the ability for the average guy to attend and brings into play the accusation that golf is an elitist sport, stuffy country club sport. And it comes at a time when golf was making inroads to get away from that image.
David Zacher
Northbrook, Illinois
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For me, I would never spend that kind of money to see any live sports event for one day. On the other hand, it’s simple supply and demand. When it’s all said and done, if the PGA doesn’t generate the revenue it wants, and believe ticket prices ended up being the major reason why, prices will be down for the next one. If it sells out, then ticket prices are not too high. Just too high for me and many others.
Barry Duckworth
Knoxville, Tennessee
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Gouging. I live a little over an hour from there and can afford it, but won’t go on principal. But idiots will pay the price and pro sports will continue their greedy descent into disgust.
Matthew Stankey
New Fairfield, Connecticut
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I don't know what makes inflation so difficult to understand for some — it's supply and demand.
The Ryder Cup is being played in a populous area where a significant amount of wealthy people reside. They will want premium access and seating, and are willing to pay for it.
Do people stop and see what Super Bowl or World Series tickets go for?
Yes, there is far more wealth accumulation at the top of our economic system based on a healthy stock market (few people remember the Dow under 9,000 in the Bush administration to the record level of today), years of tax cuts, and policy and changes in accounting and finance regulations. The common fan is going to be priced out of most premium events. If there's any good news, the price of a 64-inch TV with 4K has become far more affordable, so sit back on your soda and enjoy.
Terry Fraser
Huntsville, Alabama
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I’m 73, and remember paying $20 to see the Rolling Stones in 1967. While I understand that the PGA of America is thinking that the rock concert-like Ryder Cup atmosphere is similar to a modern-day Taylor Swift event, the pricey RC ticket prices seem antithetical to growing the game.
Tim Miller
Durango, Colorado
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The same types who will pay over $1,100 for the cheapest World Series seat will also pay these exorbitant prices. Over the past few years the PGA — and basically all of golf — has been exposed and raised purses and ticket prices.
The Ryder Cup, with the poor crowd behavior exacerbated by the players on both sides who are urging them on, will be even worse this time due to 1, high prices — booing when not getting their money’s worth; 2, alcohol; and 3) the venue. Long Islanders are not known for their good sportsmanship nor their behavior.
With any luck, this will be enough of a disaster that it may bring a sense of decorum back, as it used to be in previous Ryder Cups prior to the last 20 years or so. This current insufferable group of multi-millionaire pros on both teams may actually behave so poorly as to trigger a return to decency.
Vinny Mooney
Poughkeepsie, New York
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To put it politely it is a total scam. They are making it so only the rich will be able to attend. Once again, they are trying to drive people away from the sport. The Ryder Cup switches to a different venue every two years. This time it is in the U.S.
When the Ryder Cup is played in the states the hope should be that the venue would want everyone who can possibly attend from the U.S. to show up to support the team. Instead Bethpage wants as few patrons as possible to attend. It is my recommendation that the Ryder Cup be moved to a different venue so that Americans who want to attend can do so at a reasonable price.
It is such a shame that the PGA is allowing Bethpage to gouge its patrons. Keep doing crap like this and you will drive people away from the sport permanently.
Mel Howsmon
Vancouver, Washington
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FIXING TV COVERAGE
Can the networks copy the DP World Tour broadcasting and include all of this info-Hole, yardage, name, score of tournament standing, score on the day, what shot they are hitting, place they sit in tournament and make it large enough to view? And one last item, put info up for longer than three or four seconds.
On my golfing trips around Ontario, Canada, I have been asking friends and strangers I am paired with their interest in TV. All have said it's way down. Maybe the above will help. Love to hear feedback.
Bill Moreau
Almonte, Ontario
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Front: American fans at the 2023 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris, France.
Photo: Phil Inglis | Golffile