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TEAM USA WIN INAUGURAL CAIRNS CUP
USA 21 pts – Europe 3 pts
DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY – FOURBALLS
Over the 3 days we saw some excellent golf played in Fourballs, Foursomes & Singles on the opening day 22 out of 24 players hit the Par 3 first hole over water, hitting the first shot on opening day of a prestigious event is no mean feat but the standard was set for the week. For all the good golf played from both teams USA took an early lead in all the matches and managed to keep their noses in front despite Europe fighting back hard, day 1 result 6 – 0 to USA did not reflect how close the matches were, team Europe were still confident of a comeback on day 2 in the foursomes.
DAY 2 – THURSDAY – FOURSOMES
The foursomes were the day when the golf really came to life, 5 out of 6 games went to the 18th and the other match finished on the 17th. Team Europe came out of the traps flying and at one stage looked like getting 5 games on the board, but USA wouldn’t give in and fought back. The last few holes in all the matches could have gone either way, it was an excellent watch as both teams used some great tactics to gain an advantage, it was a shame that someone had to lose, 6 halved matches would have been a far result but somehow USA managed to win the second day 4.5 to 1.5 making it an almost impossible task for Europe on Day 3 as USA lead 10.5 to 1.5.
DAY 3 – FRIDAY – SINGLES
On the last day it didn’t take USA long to show their dominance. Team USA managed to Putt better and this showed with another convincing win 10.5 to 1.5. However, the biggest winner was The Cairns Cup showing that people with varying disabilities can compete at the highest level regardless of their playing handicap. Seeing scratch golfers competing with high handicap players, working as a team was wonderful thing to see. All players, sponsors and spectators agreed that the 2022 event was a massive success with sponsors quickly giving support in future years.
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SPONSORS & EVENT PARTNERS
We’d like to thank all our sponsors for sponsorship of The Cairns Cup. As sponsors, your contribution was vital to the success of the event. We could not have succeeded without the generosity of supporters like you.
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FESTIVAL OF DISABILITY GOLF
7th – 13th May 2022.
The Cairns Cup is not just a match play event between USA and Europe, it’s about highlighting disability golf and what can be achieved by people with disabilities. The week was broken down into 3 parts fundraising, disability awareness and competition, all 3 are as important as each other because without one you would not have the others.
CHARITY GOLF DAY FUNDRAISER – MONDAY 9th May
The teams made up of a Cairns Cup player from USA or Europe playing alongside 3 players from event sponsors played some excellent golf that resulted with SLS securities just pipping Team Aves on the very last hole. The presentation dinner in the evening was attended by 170 people, David Edwards hosted the evening and through an auction and other activities raised £7000 on the day.
CHARITY GOLF DAY RESULTS >DISABILITY OPEN DAY – TUESDAY 10th MAY
Tuesday saw The Golf Trust working with The Cairns Cup players host an open day for people with disabilities, this is the LEGACY of the Cairns Cup where the aim is to encourage more people with disabilities take up the game and hopefully one day become Cairns Cup Players.
OPENING CEREMONY – WEDNESDAY 11th MAY
Wednesday saw The Right Honourable Theresa Villiers MP for Chipping Barnet open The Cairns Cup and Sing Out Choir (people with disabilities) making the event special with some tear-jerking renditions of Proud by Heather Small and Hey Jude by The Beatles.
There were powerful national anthems sung by Camilla Farrant and Melissa Marshall both trained opera singers. This was the perfect start to the inaugrual Cairns Cup.