“Well, you have to be available. Time spent with your children, you can’t get back,” Scott Scheffler, father of Scottie Scheffler, said once. Scottie is heading to his third consecutive Ryder Cup at Bethpage this week, and like it or not, a lot of the outcome will rest on his shoulders. During those times, he would need his family. Like he had his wife, Meredith, last time when the US suffered a bruising loss to Europe in Rome. And though Team US will try not to replicate that, the onus of playing on home turf, Scheffler senior has left no stone unturned to be there for his son.

Scott Scheffler confirmed on SiriusXM that he’ll be at the event, minivan and all, ready to support his son. “We literally are on the LI [Long Island] highway,” he said on a phone call to the Ryder Cup Radio on Channel 92. “We’re heading out to the show. It’s going to be fun. Scotty and Callie were with us at the 2002 U.S. Open. Scotty was 5, and Callie was 7. We have pictures—grass taller than him!”

The 2002 US Open was held in Bethpage Black, where Tiger Woods emerged victorious and was the only person to finish the tournament under par. It must have been a memorable moment for the sibling duo of Scottie Scheffler and Callie Scheffler, who have been playing golf since their childhood, all thanks to their dad. Bethpage Black is famous for its long, thick grasses, and the picture of Scheffler standing amidst them, hidden beneath them, definitely warms the heart.

Scott’s role in Scottie’s upbringing has often been talked about, considering its unconventional nature in the golf circuit.

While mom Diane had a demanding career in law, requiring her to spend long hours at firms like Skadden and Foley Hoag, Scott stayed at home, raising Scottie and his three sisters. “You know, my dad — the way I was raised — my dad stayed home with us. My mom worked. And my dad never really looked at me as a golfer. He never pushed me to become a good golfer. That was never what he wanted for me,” Scheffler told the Associated Press once. Instead, he recalled how Scott emphasized education and kindness as values that he would want in his son.

Those lessons were never more apparent than after Scheffler failed to qualify for the 2017 Walker Cup team. “I am so proud of the way you handled that adversity,” his father told him. He stressed more on the security of Scheffler, knowing that they loved him no matter the result in the course. These are the values that Scheffler now echoes in the way he is raising his son, Bennett.

“I’d much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer. At the end of the day, that’s what’s more important to me.” It is clear how he is willing to carry forward his dad’s legacy.

And why wouldn’t he, after all the sacrifices his dad has made for him and his sisters? When the siblings were young, both Scott and Diane would take them to the Bergen Community College golf course at night, where Scott would hold a flashlight for his kids as they practiced their sport. “The police would kick us off, and we’d come back on, then the police would kick us off again.” 

His parents also took a loan of $50,000 so that Scottie could join the Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas. The result of such sacrifices bore its fruit ultimately.

So, as Scott comes up all packed for Scottie’s Ryder Cup performance, we all have something to learn. He has always emphasized being present for his son and proved it by his actions. When Scottie captured his third major at the 2025 PGA Championship, Scott’s reaction was raw and heartfelt.

“Words cannot describe what we just witnessed. You are so tough. We are so proud of you.”

Fans will be anticipating a heartfelt family moment if the US manages to snatch a victory. And apart from Scott and Diane, it is expected that Scheffler’s wife Meredith, his son Bennett, and his three sisters — Callie, Sara, and Molly will make an appearance.

Meanwhile, do you know about the other familial faces that we might see on the course?

The Ryder Cup will be filled with emotions as families grace the course

The Ryder Cup this week can see a stand full of loved ones, rooting for their players from behind the ropes. There are chances that Keegan Bradley will have his wife, Jillian Stacey Bradley, with him on the sides. She was present with him when the US Captain made the calls to his six picks, telling them that they’ve made it to the team. His two sons, Logan James and Copper, could also be present if everything goes well.

Then there is Justin Thomas, who might be on the course with his wife, Jillian Wisniewski Thomas, and his daughter, Molly Grace. Molly has, in recent times, won the hearts of the world with her cute kiddish theatrics with her father. She was also present at the 2025 Masters Par 3 Contest with her mom, Jillian.

Other notable names could be Patrick Cantlay‘s wife, Nikki, who is a familiar face on the Tour, Cameron Young‘s father, Dave — who is the former head pro at Sleepy Hollow Country Club, New York — who might get a chance to celebrate a homecoming moment that’s been years in the making. Xander Schauffele, who welcomed his first child, Viktor, might have his wife, Maya Lowe, by his side, but the chances are less as she recently gave birth.

Across the roster, the presence of loved ones will underscore that behind every American star is a system of support, ready to share in every triumph and setback.