FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — President Donald Trump does nothing with subtlety. Every single one of the thousands of people gathered around the first tee and 18th green at Bethpage Black at 11:00 a.m on Friday knew he was arriving, because Air Force One buzzed the course. One doesn’t often see a massive jumbo jet flying almost low enough to thunk with a wedge, but then, one doesn’t often see a president this intertwined with golf and golfers.

Trump’s flyover drew cheers from the gallery, pretty much the only element of the morning that could draw any kind of joy out of the American fans at Bethpage. At the time of the flyover, the United States was down bad, losing the first three matches in humiliating fashion. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay would go on to win their match to prevent an outright debacle of a start, but the atmosphere at Bethpage was muted and uncertain as Trump arrived.

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“We just had the president fly over in his Air Force One,” United States Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley said, perhaps trying to channel some desperately-needed good mojo, “so I have a feeling things are going to turn here.”

Trump had long planned to attend this event, and earlier in the week, players and captains from both teams indicated they were looking forward to his arrival. “I think anytime you can be around a current president is a pretty phenomenal thing,” Bradley said, “ but when you’re representing your country at a place like Bethpage Black in New York, having the president there to support you is something that is just absolutely incredible. I’m really grateful to him for doing that for us.”

The president’s arrival necessitated an additional layer of security at Bethpage. A series of TSA-level screening stations ringed the clubhouse and first tee/18th green complex. Snipers were visible on the clubhouse and even in the grandstands among paying patrons. The security service’s presence was everywhere, highly visible in an era where violence is becoming more of a fact of public life.

As Trump’s motorcade arrived on the Bethpage property, golfers including Sepp Straka and J.J. Spaun quietly continued to putt on the nearby green. Trump disappeared into the clubhouse, and reappeared a short while later at the entrance to the players’ tunnel at the first green.

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Plenty of boos from within the grandstand greeted Trump when he stepped out of the tunnel, unsurprising in a state that went decisively against Trump in all three elections in which he was on the ballot. (The boos were nothing compared to the drubbing that Jon Rahm and other Europeans would take a few minutes later.) Later, some in the crowd broke out in a chant, yelling, “Donald Trump! Donald Trump!”

Sporting golf shoes and without a tie, Trump waved at the crowd as he settled into a plexiglass-walled booth just prior to the start of the afternoon matches.

Bradley, who entered the grandstand arena prior to the matches, pointed to Trump, did his version of Trump’s two-handed dance, then made a quick we’re-not-worthy bow before the president. The initial pairing of Scottie Scheffler and J.J. Spaun, a few minutes later, also acknowledged Trump. When Bryson DeChambeau and playing partner Ben Griffin walked out of the tunnel, however, Trump left his plexiglass enclosure to walk them to the first tee. He then stood behind them as they teed off for their match against Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

According to the official White House schedule, Trump was scheduled to remain at Bethpage until 3:30 and slated to return to the White House at 4:59 p.m. By then, the United States ought to have a much clearer idea of whether its Ryder Cup fate is nearly sealed, or whether Europe will have a fight on its hands over the weekend.