By Candace Oehler,Contributor
Copyright forbes
Tean USA celebrates victory on the 18th hole.
Candace Oehler
USA! USA! USA!
While all eyes were on Bethpage Black in anticipation of the 45th Ryder Cup, an equally compelling and inspiring international showdown was unfolding in Arizona, at scenic Raven Golf Club, where disabled golfers representing Team Europe and Team USA faced off in the 31st edition of the Phoenix Cup.
The spirited competition featured two teams of 12 facing off in three days of Ryder Cup-style competition – alternate shot, fourball and individual matches. To date, over 900 golfers have participated in this unique sporting event.
Said Team Europe member Alan Robb of the celebrated championship, “You know, it’s prestigious enough, but the fact that it’s getting played the week before the Ryder Cup maybe gives it a wee bit of extra prestige as well.”
Team Europe ready to go at Raven Golf Club.
Martin Lowe
Team USA golfer Amanda Cunha, captain of the University of Arizona adaptive golf team, was equally enthusiastic about the timing, noting “I love this format, especially the fact that it’s right before the actual Ryder Cup. It really gets you into the patriotic spirit.”
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After losing last year’s competition at Scotland’s fabled St. Andrews, Team USA was excited to host the visiting squad and determined to win the Cup on home soil. They did just that, regaining the trophy from the defending champion Europeans, pulling out a nail-biting comeback victory on Day 3 for a 13-11 triumph.
Meet the Team
All Phoenix Cup team members are Captains’ picks. Team USA Captain Steve Husome and Vice-Captain Larry Celano crafted a carefully defined selection process to build their roster.
“The first thing that we wanted to make sure that we did was select players that have never had an opportunity to represent their country in an international match play event,” explained Husome, a veteran of the last three Phoenix Cups. “We’re trying to give more adaptive players the opportunity to get involved.”
They assembled a young team of elite golfers with tournament success and trophy shelves packed with hardware. Many on the team either won or placed in the top four in their impairment categories at the 2025 USGA Adaptive Open, but most were not familiar with team golf. They knew each other through tournaments, but always as friendly competitors. Following their Phoenix Cup participation, it’s a good bet that they are all converts to the team match play concept.
Brandon “Nubz” Canesi is a well-known social influencer and professional golfer who creates popular YouTube and Instagam videos. He has been profiled on CNN and is COBRA Golf representative. He is pictured with his mom, Melissa, who is a terrific caddy and motivator.
Candace Oehler
Social influencer Brandon “Nubz” Canesi, for example, was thrilled to be selected.
“It’s the best format in golf,” said the single digit handicap player enthusiastically. “There’s truly no better feeling playing together on a team representing our country. I love match play. Anything can happen. It’s a lot of fun.”
Gregarious teammate Ricky Reilly described the competition as playing for something more meaningful than individual victory.
“To win by yourself is one thing. To win with everybody else on this team is something that words can’t describe. It’s truly a remarkable feeling and I’m just really honored to be a part of this team.”
Amanda Cunha and Ricky Reilly exemplify the variety of adaptive golf impairments. Amanda is visually impaired and Ricky competes in short stature.
Team Europe Captain Graham Moore and his vice captains employed a selection strategy focused on a balance of high and low handicappers, with nearly half his team members veteran Cup players. The result was an older group, familiar with match play format and each other’s games.
The entire field was a truly global gathering that reflected diversity across gender, disability, age and experience.
Team USA golfers came from New Jersey to Hawaii and all points in between. The Europeans hailed from England, Wales, Scotland, The Netherlands and Italy.
The player impairments were just as representative and included visual; neurological; coordination; short stature; upper, lower and multiple limb deficiency or amputee; seated and intellectual.
A New Experience
Golf handicaps and pairings were strategic since the Phoenix Cup is not scored gross, but using GHIN handicaps. In partner matches, for example, the team handicap was calculated by the aggregate handicap of the two playing partners, divided by half, then converted to a course index. Singles matches were handicapped using the same method.
Team Europe golfer Jim Gales, who is blind, gets lined up by his caddy Martin Lowe.
Martin Lowe
The system nearly cost Team USA the Cup.
Generally, adaptive golfers in the U.S. play straight gross score. Because the home team players were generally low handicappers, the average stroke differential between the USA and European teams averaged double digits. Team USA gave the Euros strokes in nearly all the matches, adding an extra challenge.
On the whole, however, the athletes were positive about the structure.
Said Tucson resident Bailey Bish, “It was a little confusing at first, but I think it makes sense because it levels the playing field a bit so people who have all different levels of experience are able to compete against each other.”
Reilly had no issue with the handicap versus disability classification format, explaining, “I never really see impairment categories out at the competitions anyway. I just see good, best and even better. You know, it’s not about your impairment category to us, right? It’s for sure an inspiration to other people and the outsiders, but to us we’re just competitors.”
Day 1 alternate shot belonged to Team Europe, who took the lead 4½ points to 1½.
For the Euros, Jim Hamill and Alan Robb notched the first point of the competition, with a 6 & 5 win over Isaac Berger and Max Togisala.
Bailey Bish and Robby Donarski earned the only full point for the USA with a 6 & 4 victory, while Brandon Canesi and Larry Celano picked up the half point. It was closer than the score indicated, as four of the matches were very close, coming down to the 18th hole.
The European Phoenix Cup logo.
Phoenix Cup UK
Captain Graham was quick to keep his team grounded, stressing after the round, “I’ve just said to my vice captains, I do not want to hear ‘4½ – 1½, we can take our foot off the pedal.’ I have said that the score tomorrow is 0-0. We start again.”
Captain Steve acknowledged that while the day didn’t go as planned, he had confidence in his team and felt strongly that they would get into contention.
Team USA didn’t disappoint. Needing a strong comeback, they rebounded in Day 2 foursomes, winning 4 matches to Europe’s 2.
Going into the final day singles matches, the home team trailed 6½ to 5½, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
By Day 3, the scorching104-degree temperature created an additional obstacle. All the golfers suffered, but especially the sunburned Euros, who were not accustomed to desert heat. It didn’t deter the Americans, however, who finished 7½ points to 4½, giving them the ultimate 13-11 overall win.
It was all in fun at the end of the match.
Candace Oehler
Coach Steve was proud of the way his team battled and nearly overcome with emotion when the Cup was finally secured.
“I don’t even think what’s really just happened has settled in yet,” he said. “Just because you might lose an arm or a leg or you’re got some sort of physical challenge, it never takes away your competitive spirit ever. These people are as fiery competitors as anybody on the PGA Tour, I can tell you.”
He would have preferred a different lineup of the final day pairings, as Europe chose to pair their highest handicap players against the USA’s lowest handicap golfers. That led to some unlikely scoring differentials, with two Team USA players giving up a total of 57 strokes (31 and 26). Even so, those two matches went to the 17th and 18th holes.
He explained, “So I wanted our best player against their best player and on down the line. And they didn’t want that. You want the best players to play the best players, right? I mean, why have your best player play your worst player? That’s no fun.”
Nevertheless, he was ecstatic to go out on top as a winning captain. He added a special message to his team at the awards ceremony, telling them how proud he was of everybody grinding every single day.
“All of you did fantastic,” he said, “And I couldn’t be more proud to lead such a great group of young players. It’s been just an honor of my lifetime. So thank you very much.”
Captain Steve Husome and Vice Captain Larry Celano with the treasured Phoenix Cup.
Candace Oehler
Partners and Connections
Event and individual sponsorships are critical in elevating adaptive golf to the larger stage it deserves and creating sustainable events. So, too, are connections made within the disabled golf community.
Phoenix Cup Title Sponsor Click Control Marketing has been a key player in adaptive golf events for the past five years, after CEO Walt Conger met Bailey Bish at an adaptive event in Las Vegas.
Impressed by her talent, personality and resilience in the face of daunting physical challenges, Conger offered financial support to help her achieve her golf dreams. He has since become an adaptive golf advocate committed to helping the entire community get the recognition it deserves.
Conger, who attended the Phoenix Cup with his son, is a trusted Bish family friend and said, “They will tell you that I’ve been a blessing to them, but they have really blessed our family in more ways than I can even say. It’s been completely life changing to me.”
Said an appreciative Bailey, “His faith in me really has made a big difference in my life. And it gave me the confidence to keep playing adaptive golf competitively.”
Team USA was fortunate to have the support of additional partners including PING, who provided splendid logo golf bags, and Bump & Run Golf Co. who created Team USA apparel.
Captain Graham Moore presents the Cup to Captain Steve Husome.
Candace Oehler
Connections were also renewed at the Phoenix Cup, with 21-year old Amanda Cunha reconnecting with former Phoenix Cup Team Europe Captain Jim Gage. The two met in August when Amanda was in the U.K. as one of 18 recipients of the prestigious Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship. One of just two disabled golfers selected, she spent three memorable weeks with an R&A mentor, hosted several adaptive golf clinics with Gage, participated in the “week of scholars” at St. Andrews, and networked with other scholarship recipients.
Much more on Amanda’s amazing journey to come.
Camaraderie and Sportsmanship Prevail
When the tournament came to a close, competition turned into camaraderie, with both teams laughing, hugging and sharing a pint, demonstrating the true nature of adaptive golf.
Concluded Team Europe Vice Captain Jeroen Coumou graciously, “To all the players from Team USA, we came as strangers but we leave as friends. I hope events like this continue to take place and I hope we get more publicity for disabled golfers, because golf really is one of the nicest sports for people with a disability. It’s based on your golf handicap and not your physical handicap. I’ve seen some really impressive and stunning golf being played. And I’ve met some really wonderful people. It’s been outstanding.”
Members of Team USA celebrate their victory.
Candace Oehler
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