Bethpage Black Pays Tribute to Late Ryder Cup Legend with New ‘Arnold Palmer Way’

“I loved the Ryder Cup, because it simply wasn’t about playing for money. It was about playing for something far grander and more personal.” These were the words of Arnold Palmer. He didn’t just play the game—he redefined playing for pride. Now, his name is forever etched into Bethpage Black’s legacy.

This week, in a moment that blended tribute with timeless legacy, Bethpage State Park officially renamed Round Swamp Road, the road that runs through the heart of the Black Course, to Arnold Palmer Way. On Tuesday, the Nassau County Department of Public Works unveiled the new signage, and it wasn’t just about renaming the road.

It was, in their words, “A sign of respect, a symbol of legacy. Bethpage Black proudly welcomes Arnold Palmer Way. 👏 #GoUSA 🇺🇸” As county workers revealed the fresh white letters gleaming against the red background, it was as if time stood still for a moment—a quiet, powerful nod to the King himself. It was a quiet moment, but one that carried the weight of decades of Ryder Cup history, now permanently rooted in the very grounds Palmer once inspired.

Arnold Palmer didn’t just play in the Ryder Cup; he defined what it meant to represent your country. Palmer appeared in six Ryder Cups between 1961 & 1973, during all of which Team USA earned six victories. He was also the last man to serve as a playing captain, leading the charge in 1963 at East Lake while racking up four wins. But that was not all. His Ryder Cup resume keeps getting better.

Over the course of his Ryder Cup career, Palmer played 31 matches, won 22, lost 8, and halved 2, earning a total of 23 points. That number sat atop the all-time points standings for nearly a quarter-century, untouched until Nick Faldo finally edged past it in 1997.

But even then, Palmer shrugged it off with the grace of a true team player — “The Ryder Cup record is now his alone and that’s how it should be, for records are not meant to stand forever.”

But every time Palmer teed it up for Team USA, they never lost. He wasn’t just part of winning teams; he was the reason they won. In 1963, when he captained the team, his own record was 4-2-0, all while managing team pairings, strategy, and momentum. That made him the last ever playing captain in Ryder Cup history, a feat Keegan Bradley could have changed this year had he picked himself for the team. And so, Palmer remains the last man to both lead and play for Team USA in the same week. Palmer then returned as non-playing captain in 1975, and yes—they won again.

And if you think this man wasn’t built for team glory, think again. In singles play? He went 6-3-2. In foursomes? A dominant 9-3-0. And in four-ball? 7-2-0, often paired with fellow greats and still doing most of the heavy lifting. Across three formats and two decades, Palmer was a force. And whether swinging a club or steering the ship as captain, his teams delivered wins.

And while Palmer’s legacy now has a permanent place at Bethpage, the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup is also bringing road closures, heightened security, and a presidential visit. With just two days to go until the Ryder Cup tees off, local officials are bracing for the impact of tens of thousands of fans and miles of traffic.

Road Closures, Heavy Delays Expected this week at Bethpage Black

As the world’s eyes turn to Bethpage Black for the Ryder Cup, local drivers might need to be wary. Officials are warning of major traffic delays and road closures throughout the week, especially around Round Swamp Road, which cuts straight through the iconic Black Course, and now bears the name Arnold Palmer Way. From Monday, Sept. 22, at 6 a.m. through Monday, Sept. 29 at 6 a.m., Round Swamp Road will be completely shut down from Winding Road to Quaker Meeting House Road, directly impacting access to the park and surrounding areas.

This time, the Ryder Cup will be swamped by tens of thousands of fans, international media, VIPs—and, yes, a presidential visit. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the event on Friday, adding to already heightened security and traffic control plans. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump’s attendance during a Monday briefing, noting, “This event is one of the greatest sporting events in the world, and it would not be taking place this year without President Trump’s help.”

The Ryder Cup, which kicks off on September 26th, has become a global spectacle, and Bethpage Black is the first-ever public course to host it. Officials are anticipating up to half a billion dollars in economic impact, with massive infrastructure added for fans, including a 61,000-square-foot merchandise tent, triple-decker grandstands, and full-scale hospitality villages. The New York State Police even confirmed a “significantly increased law enforcement presence in and around Bethpage State Park,” with more than 800 officers on duty, alongside federal and local agencies.