Is the PGA of America regaining the favor of fans? The exorbitant cost of tickets for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York has recently drawn harsh criticism from the PGA of America, which organizes the country’s top golf competitions. Both fans and critics feared that the tournament would become unaffordable for the typical golf aficionado due to the exorbitant cost of single-day tickets, which cost as much as $750, including unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages. 

The PGA has responded to the criticism by launching a program that will give away 3,000 Ryder Cup tickets to local golfers in New York to patch things up and win back the support of its supporters.

The People’s Perk: A swing at redemption

The PGA of America launched “The People’s Perk,” a grassroots initiative aimed at reestablishing ties with the local golfing community. This program entails unexpected trips to public golf courses in the New York metropolitan region, such as the renowned Bethpage Black, where unwary golfers receive complimentary Ryder Cup tickets. To ensure the tickets are given to people who best represent the ethos of public golf, the PGA has teamed up with the Metropolitan PGA Section to choose worthy candidates. The fans who are selected will be given a ticket for themselves and a “plus one” for either a competition or a practice round day.

Reflecting on the same, Bryan Karns, who is the PGA of America’s championship director, said, “As we kept thinking about what Bethpage represents, it’s the people, it’s the tie to public golf. We’ve gotten to know the culture very well, the challenge of playing public golf. Very early on, in 2023, we were kicking around the idea [of a giveaway] because we knew the demand would be so high with a global audience… The giveaway will be a targeted program to ‘meet the people where they are, at public golf courses.’”

The PGA of America’s President, Don Rea Jr., highlighted the significance of this gesture, saying that “The People’s Perk” is a way to honor the commitment and zeal of the New York golf community by giving them an unforgettable experience at the 2025 Ryder Cup. In addition to rewarding devoted golfers, the initiative seeks to recognize the contribution of public courses to fostering golfers’ enthusiasm and skill.

Additionally, the program distributes special tickets to community organizations and first responders, expanding the PGA’s reach beyond the typical golfer demographic. By doing this, the group intends to dispel the myth that the Ryder Cup is only for the wealthy and promote a more welcoming environment. As the program gained traction, fans took to social media to share their reactions—and they weren’t all in agreement.

Fans’ reaction: A mixed bag of applause and apprehension

Golf fans have responded to the news of “The People’s Perk” in various ways, reflecting the community’s varied viewpoints. “This is awesome,” and “That’s cool,” wrote two fans, expressing pure joy and echoing the attitude of those who believe the program is a sincere attempt to make the Ryder Cup more accessible. Another fan shared this excitement, saying, “That’s cool. Wish they did this for every PGA Tour event!” expressing a desire for other tournaments to be just as inclusive.

Not every answer, though, was favorable. One opponent referred to the project as “Sounds elitist,” implying that the tickets’ random distribution would still give preference to some groups. This criticism highlights the continuous discussion of representation and equity in golf, a sport historically linked to exclusivity. Another fan joked, “awesome! glad I already spent $3800!” with a hint of cynicism, expressing the annoyance of those who had already made significant ticket purchases before the news of the free giveaways. This response emphasizes how the PGA must carefully balance rewarding devoted supporters and trying to reach a wider audience.

The tickets for the Ryder Cup come at distinct prices, ranging from $250 for Ryder Cup + on Tuesday to $535 on Thursday to $1,193 on Friday. While for Saturday, the same ticket costs $1,314, and on Sunday, it goes as high as $1,693. No wonder the fans were outraged after seeing the ticket prices.

It will be interesting to see how the PGA of America handles fan complaints with “The People’s Perk” as the 2025 Ryder Cup draws near. Although the effort has received recognition for its diversity, it also serves as a reminder of the difficulties in balancing history and the changing demands of a fervent and diverse fan base.