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USA win The Cairns Cup 2024!
USA 12.5 pts – Europe 11.5 pts
MATCH REPORT
In a rain-soaked afternoon at Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Township, Michigan, TEAM USA held off a gallant fight from their European counterparts, securing back-to-back victories to win The Cairns Cup for the second time in succession. After three gruelling days of golf played at times in 30 degree heat, the USA Team, headed by Michigander Kim Moore, finished 12.5 Pts to 11.5 Pts, to lift the prestigious trophy named after Scottish disabled golfer Billy Cairns.
Day one began with a 4-2 lead after the foursomes, with TEAM Europe taking the honours on day two to reduce the deficit to just a single point. Day three began with TEAM USA still requiring 5.5 points to retain the Cup and 6 points for outright victory.
However, it was Rutger Pranger of the Netherlands who put the first match to bed, levelling the scores. But following an interruption in play for the forecasted lightning, TEAM USA weathered the storm in the early afternoon, putting a flurry of red on the scoreboard.
Brandon Williams had the honor of sinking the winning putt to claim victory. Williams, from Ohio, unaware of the magnitude of the putt he faced, was a picture of calm as he watched his ball disappear into the cup. Asked how he felt to secure his country’s win on home soil, he said,“ Amazing, it’s awesome!”
Commenting further on the win, he said, “It is a dream come true! This event has demonstrated that the world of disability golf now has its own stage on which to grow the game of golf.”
The Cairns Cup – disability golf’s premier match play event – returns to Europe in 2026.
The Cairns Cup 2024 Highlights Reel
DAY 1 WEDNESDAY FOURSOMES 4
DAY 2 THURSDAY FOURBALLS
DAY 3 FRIDAY SINGLES
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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.
BALL
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FESTIVAL OF DISABILITY GOLF
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.
DISABILITY OPEN DAY
Tuesday saw US Adaptive Golf Alliance 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 saw both teams come together for the opening ceremony, where Ian Waterhouse was master of ceremony. Speeches by Cairns Cup Vice Presidents John Bell and Kevin Booth before intoducing their respective captains Kim Moore & Tineke Loogman.