Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black will have security inside the ropes to quell potential 'hostile environment'

There’s no doubt that New York sports fans will bring their trademark passion to the Bethpage fairways at the Ryder Cup when they transform a quiet golf course into a packed stadium.

U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley announced crowd monitors will be walking inside the ropes for next year’s event to prevent a “hostile environment” when the biennial event is played on Bethpage Black next Sept. 26-28

Bradley was joined by his European counterpart, Luke Donald, at a Year to Go press conference at The Times Center in New York Tuesday, where the former St. John's University golfer encouraged fans of New York to cheer "proudly and loudly."

“Bethpage events to me personally have created the best atmospheres I've played in front of,” said Bradley, who competed at Bethpage during the 2019 PGA Championship. “[The crowds are] loud, they’re passionate. I think everybody looks forward to coming to Bethpage.”

For three days, Ryder Cup fans make golf feel like football, delivering a home-field advantage that has been acknowledged by previous and current captains.

“The Ryder Cup is special because it is spirited. Passions are high. Energy is high,” Donald said. “You want to see that amongst the players. You certainly don’t want to see the spirit of the Ryder Cup endangered in any way.

“In a tough environment, we will be the underdogs.”

Bradley, 38, who played on the 2012 and 2014 Ryder Cup teams that lost, was named captain in July, becoming the youngest U.S. captain since 34-year-old Arnold Palmer in 1963. He confirmed he will be keeping the same point system in place for the six automatic qualifiers, and he will stick with six captain’s picks.

“It’s always a goal of mine to play on the Ryder Cup teams,” said Bradley, who just won the clinching point for the American team at the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal in Canada. “I’m focused now on being the captain of the team, and that’s it. I’ll still be a full-time player through the next year.”

Bradley reiterated how special Bethpage Black was to him during his formative years at St. John’s.

“I came to St. John’s University in Queens wanting to play golf and going to Bethpage was the first major championship golf course I had ever seen or played. I really got a sense of how special and grand Bethpage is," Bradley said. "This is what a major championship course looks and feels like. I really fell in love with New York through Bethpage."

Cathilyn Lee, 20, of Houston is a junior on the women’s golf team at St. John’s, which was in the audience along with the men’s team.

“It’s an honor to see someone that played at your school become a Ryder Cup captain,” Lee said. “His pride and passion for our school and the New York area will certainly shine through."

By Carissa Kellman

carissa.kellman@newsday.com@CarissaKellman