Reflections on the 2025 Ryder Cup: Lessons for the Golf Industry
I had the unique privilege last week of attending the 2025 Ryder Cup. A mix of business and pleasure, the experience left me thinking about the event, the message it communicated with the growing golf community, and the lessons we can learn from three days of intense international competition.
Arguably, Bethpage Black delivered drama, passion, and controversy in equal parts for those of us working inside the golf industry—whether as PGA professionals, administrators, instructors, course operators, or leaders in player development. This year’s contest offered more than entertainment; it provided lessons in leadership, culture, and the business of our game.
Leadership and Team Building
Luke Donald’s European squad demonstrated what unified leadership can achieve. His ability to create trust within his roster, manage egos, and execute a cohesive strategy is a case study for all of us. Donald became only the second captain in Ryder Cup history to win both at home and away, and he did so through preparation, data-driven decisions, and emotional intelligence.
Contrast that with Team USA, which struggled with chemistry and early pairings. By the time the Americans found momentum on Sunday, it was too late. For professionals, the parallel is clear: whether you’re running a shop, coaching a high-school team, or leading a staff of instructors, success starts with culture and continuity. Short-term fixes rarely outperform long-term planning and alignment.
The Business of Atmosphere
The Ryder Cup has always been a showcase of unrivaled energy, but this year the spotlight turned uncomfortably on crowd behavior. Reports of verbal abuse, intimidation, and even objects thrown toward players and families raised concerns across the industry. Rory McIlroy spoke candidly about protecting his wife from unruly fans, and icons like Ian Poulter and Tom Watson denounced the “ugly” scenes.
For our industry, this is more than a public-relations “bad look.” It challenges us to ask: how do we scale the excitement of golf while safeguarding the dignity of the game? Professional golf may set the global tone, but every regional junior event or state championship is part of the same ecosystem.
A Few Takeaways for Us as Professionals in the Golf Industry
- Model Leadership: Create cultures at your facility that prioritize trust, preparation, and team alignment—just as Donald did.
- Elevate Sportsmanship: Use this Ryder Cup as a reminder to make sportsmanship an explicit part of every tournament and league you manage.
- Leverage Education: Break down match-play strategies and psychological pressure points in clinics, lessons, and team practices.
- Protect the Game’s Image: Be proactive about fan and member education. Our livelihoods depend on golf being seen as a sport of both passion and respect.
The 2025 Ryder Cup will be remembered for Europe’s dominance, America’s rally that came too late, and the troubling behavior of some fans. But for those of us in the golf industry, it should also be remembered as a turning point—a reminder that our responsibilities extend beyond instruction and operations. We are stewards of culture, leaders of teams, and guardians of the values that make golf unique.
Important Reminders and Announcements
- The 2025 PNWPGA Mentoring Conference is November 11-12, 2025, Tualatin Country Club. Register here for what is always a memorable personal and professional development experience!
- The PNWPGA wishes to offer our sincere “Congratulations” to two Pacific Northwest juniors for qualifying for the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National!
- Roy Moon (boys 7-9) – Bellevue, WA
- Ava Lee (girls 10-11) – University Place, WA
- My personal thanks and sincere appreciation to our 2025 Pro-Pro and PPC sponsors. This year’s events were a great success thanks to our partners at Garmany Golf, Oakley, STITCH Golf, TRUE Linkswear, Sunice/Bobby Jones Golf, TaylorMade, and StrackaLine.
- Please join me in welcoming our newest partners, Nate Hairgrove ([email protected]), Allan Belden ([email protected]) and all our friends with Golf Live (www.golfliveapp.com).
As always, if I or our amazing section staff can ever be of service, please contact us.