Phoenix Cup 2018

Pan Disability Ryder Cup

USA v Europe

Long Marsh Golf Club, Florida, October 15th—17th

The Phoenix Cup 2108 was a “RYDER CUP” style competition played between disabled golfers from the USA & Europe. It was played over 3 days the format being 6 x foursomes on day 1, 6 x 4 ball better ball on day 2 and finally on day 3, 12 x singles. This event was the idea of Mr Jim Gales MBE of the Scottish Disability Golf & Curling (SDGC) and Mr Ian Halliwell aka “The social Golfer” & Chairman of British Inclusive Golf (BIG).

Team Europe

Team Europe lose a vital team member

Sadly, before the competition started as players from Europe were having a practice round Mr Billy Cairns from Kilmarnock suddenly had a heart-attack in his hotel room and passed away. This sad event devastated the team, it was unanimous that we would continue and win it for Billy #doitforbilly
Billy was a very cheerful funny guy and brought a smile to most faces at any event he attended he will be sadly missed and both SDGC & BIG are planning to have an award in his memory in the future.

The Europe Team paying tribute to Billy and his beloved Rangers

INCLUSIVITY

Each team for Inclusivity had to field players with a variety of disabilities and show case all golf handicaps by having 4 players with handicaps in each range 0 –10, 11-20 & 21 plus.
This proved successful as 80% of the games went to the 17th & 18th Hole.

Europe beat USA against all odds

Pipers lead out the teams

Both teams were led out by Pipers that were sponsored by SDGC & TSG.

It was spine chilling in light of previous day’s events.

The Pipers also did a personal tribute on the first tee to Billy Cairns.

How team Captain Ian Halliwell hit the first tee shot of the event was truly amazing.

RESULTS

Day 1 Foursomes
Booth & Halliwell bt Aldrich & Shipelski 7 & 6
Irvine & McNeily bt Clay & Holland 3 & 2
Hilleen & Ross bt Bizer & Fairclough 2up
Riordan & Thomson lst Miller & Hooks 2 dwn
Jones & Sorber bt Canezi & Ramin 4 & 3 4 & 3
Clifford & Milne bt Snyder & Bell 2up
Europe 5 USA 1

Day 2 Fourballs
Booth & Halliwell bt Bizer & Ford 3 & 1
Hilleen & Milne lst Snyder & Hooper 2 down
Riordan & Ross lst Aldrich & Hooks 1 down
Clifford & Thomson lst Clay & Holland 3 & 2
Jones & Sorber lst Bell & Shipelski 1 down
Irvine & McNeily lst Ramin & Rojas 1 down
EUROPE 1 USA 5

Match score Europe 6. USA 6

Day 3 SINGLES
Booth bt Bell 2 & 1
Gales lst Hooper 5 & 4
Irvine halve Shipelski
Jones bt Hooks 1up
Munoz lst Canezi 6 & 5
Ross lst Bizer 2 & 1
Riordan lst Ford 1 down
Sorber bt Clay 5 & 4
McNeily bt. Fairclough 3 & 2
Thomson bt Miller 2 up
Halliwell bt Holland 3 & 2
Milne bt Snyder 8 & 7
Europe 7.5 USA 4.5

Final Score
Europe 13.5 USA 10.5

Team Europe fought and played hard against a much younger USA team, every team member playing their part in the victory, some even forfeiting their place in the singles for the better of the team. Each player earned at point however Captain Ian Halliwell & Kevin Booth won all 3 games leading the team to victory.

The winning putt was done by our oldest team member Jim Thompson however it was sadly missed by most as we were watching the captain close out his match, we all thought this was the match that would win it for EUROPE.

However, without the camaraderie and losing Billy I doubt the result would have been the same, each player digging into inner strength to DO IT FOR BILLY.
The whole team are so proud to have won for our lost comrade.
New friends were made across the pond and sure that people will be making many trips both ways to compete in each other competitions in the future.

USA Captain Tracy Ramin hands over the Phoenix cup to Ian Halliwell.

Team Europe enjoy their Victory

Thanks to all Team Europe Sponsors – Please Click on Logo

Legacy

The 2018 Phoenix cup was a great success and was enjoyed by all participant’s, however the financial support for the USA team was evident to see. Team Europe’s aptly named “Dads Army” all made the trip at their own cost. The competition, the format was a total success however if this event is to grow we need more financial support to get younger people involved in the future.
This competition is NOT ABOUT ELITE GOLFERS it’s about “INCLUSIVITY” and getting more disabled people playing golf at the highest level they can achieve.

Anyone wishing to get involved please contact www.scottishdgc.org.uk or www.britishinclusivegolf.org reports and video’s can be found on both websites and Facebook pages of both organisations.