Bethpage Ryder Cup a "fatuous frat party", an "American embarrassment"

The Ancient Order of Hibernians has slammed the conduct of fans at the Ryder Cup in Farmingdale as an outrageous betrayal of sportsmanship. Neil Cosgrove, the organisation’s National Anti-Defamation Chair, said the event was marred by vulgar abuse, physical assault and a failure of leadership.

The AOH statement, released Monday, was unambiguous in its criticism. "As Americans of Irish heritage, we are angered, and as Americans, we are embarrassed, by the disgraceful conduct at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage," Cosgrove said.

He singled out both the abuse directed at Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry and what he described as the most shocking incident of all: "Most appalling of all was the treatment of Rory McIlroy’s wife, who was struck by a thrown beer."

Reports and video from the course showed a beverage hitting McIlroy’s wife during Saturday play and prompting increased security.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Golf Digest (@golfdigest)

Cosgrove reserved particular scorn for the tone set from the microphone. The first tee master of ceremonies, who is reported to have joined in a crude chant aimed at McIlroy, later apologised and stepped down amid public outrage.

"The responsibility of an MC is to set the tone and elevate the competition, not to incite abuse," Cosgrove said, adding that the episode raises "serious questions about the judgment of the organizers and the PGA of America."

The AOH also attacked the response from the United States captain. Cosgrove called it "deeply troubling" that Keegan Bradley characterized the behaviour as mere "passion."

"Passion does not mean vulgarity," he said.

"Passion does not mean harassment. Passion certainly does not mean striking a player’s spouse."

Bradley publicly described fans as passionate during the event, language that critics say fell short of condemning abuse.

Cosgrove framed the incidents as a broader national embarrassment. He likened the behaviour to a shameful historical prejudice and warned that those who would later decry mistreatment abroad would have been the first to wrap themselves in a flag they had disgraced at home.

The AOH demanded that the PGA remember that the "P" in its name stands for "Professional," not "Passionate," and urged stronger codes of conduct and tougher crowd control measures to prevent any repeat of what the group called a "fatuous frat party on a fairway."

For Irish Americans watching, the statement spoke to more than a single weekend of poor behaviour. It was a call for accountability from tournament officials, team leadership and a sporting culture that should protect players and their families. As Cosgrove concluded, "There is no excuse, ever, for targeting a player’s family."