While the PGA of America’s recent release of the ticket prices for spectator tickets for next year’s Ryder Cup created plenty of criticism, there was an even stronger reaction to the sums being charged for those hoping to work as volunteers for the matches at Bethpage Black.
While the cost to attend the matches has grown with every passing renewal of the Ryder Cup, those hoping to watch the action on site in New York next September will have to fork out $750 (£577) per day – although that headline price does include unlimited free food and soft drinks.
That is almost three times the £212 that was charged by the European Tour to attend one day of tournament action at last year’s Ryder Cup in Italy.
While the price of tickets for top-level sporting events has risen almost exponentially in recent years, it has generally been accepted as a direct consequence of supply and demand, but the PGA of America’s decision to charge $392 just for the chance to work as a volunteer at the 2025 Ryder Cup has attracted wide levels of criticism.
While those volunteers that get the plum roles of working as on-course marshals may see that price as good value, many other volunteers will be working in car parks, hospitality and other areas of the site where they will not be in a position to watch any of the golfing action yet will be charged the same price for the privilege.
The $393 fee, which includes taxes and a credit card processing charge, will entitle the volunteer to a tournament pass for the week, along with a uniform, drawstring bag, a commemorative Ryder Cup pin, and free food during work shifts.
It is not uncommon for volunteers to be charged to work at top-level golf events, with the US Open and PGA Championship both demanding an upfront fee of around $175 for volunteer workers, but this latest price hike has led to the PGA of America being accused of price gouging and exploitation.
Defending the decision to bump up the prices for both spectators and volunteers, tournament director Bryan Karns said: “We looked at pricing and we were able to tap into data from all these different sports events. And we were able to see what people pay, and that really drove this.
“In terms of our position in this landscape — where do we feel ourselves? There are people who have the Ryder Cup on their bucket list in the same way someone would have a Yankees opening game of the World Series on their bucket list.
“Ultimately that’s where we felt like we are. We’ve got a lot of people, the demand is at an all-time high for this event, and so we wanted to make sure we priced it appropriately.”