Long Island's Moment: Hosting Ryder Cup Sparks Excitement

Long Island is stepping into the limelight this week as it plays host to the prestigious Ryder Cup, a biennial golf competition that pits America's best golfers against Europe's elite. The event is set to take place at Bethpage Black course and is expected to draw more than a quarter-million fans from around 40 countries.

With hotel rooms booked years in advance at inflated prices, local tourism experts say the event will bring immense pride and economic benefit to Nassau County. "It's a dreamy project, especially for residents," noted Jaime Hollander, managing director at RRDA, the county's tourism agency.

Following Long Island's success in hosting cricket's T20 World Cup, which drew global attention, the Ryder Cup is another opportunity to shine in international sports. New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that Bethpage Black will also host future PGA events, further cementing the region's status as a golfing haven.

(With inputs from agencies.)