TEAM USA
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The following players have been selected to represent the 2024 team USA at the Cairns Cup
Cherry Creek Golf Club, Shelby Township, Michigan.
27th July – 3rd August
Kim Moore – Captain
Indiana – Leg Amputee / Spina Bifida
As a leg amputee, I started playing golf when I was 15 years old. I played golf all throughout high school. I earned a scholarship to play golf at The University of Indianapolis. I then went on to play professional golf on the Futures Tour. I became a Class A PGA golf professional in 2012. I started coaching golf in 2013 at Saint Mary’s College and currently I am the Head Women’s Golf Coach at Western Michigan University. I am the 15-time US Women’s National Amputee Golf Champion. I am the Inaugural Women’s USGA Adaptive Open Champion. I am also the Inaugural Women’s G4D Open Champion. To be chosen as Captain of my country at The Cairns Cup is a dream come true!
Jonathan Snyder – Vice Captain
North Carolina – Arm Impairment
I began working in the golf industry in the cart barn of Red Bridge golf Club in North Carolina. First working in the pro shop to becoming an assistant golf professional, event coordinator, director of golf operations. Eventually becoming the general manager of Red Bridge golf club. I was invited to a Para long drive event, which instantly welcomed into the adaptive golf family. I am currently the executive director for the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance, dedicated to inspiring and provide as many opportunities as possible for individuals with disabilities to improve their lives by enjoying the game of golf.
Kellie Valentine – Vice Captain
Pennsylvania – Arm Amputee
I played College Softball before taking up golf after the loss of my arm following a car accident in 1993. My dad suggested tennis, but I wanted to play golf. I told my Dad give me two years and I would beat him. I have been blessed to compete in over 100 tournaments and have been truly honoured to be part of the EAGA and NAGA Associations, holding various positions for 27 years. It is with immense gratitude and excitement that I accepted the position of Vice-Captain for The Cairns Cup 2024. It a truly great honour to have been chosen for this prestigious role. I am committed to giving my best both on and off the course and uphold the high standards and spirit of sportsmanship, now associated with the Cairns Cup. I am thrilled to be a part of such a inspiring USA team!
Brian Bemis
Michigan – Leg Amputee
I lost my right leg to cancer at age 12 and started hitting golf balls a month after 2nd amputation. I was hooked on golf as soon as I started playing. Playing with a prosthetic for 26 years before having the remainder of my stump removed I started playing on one leg again. I have won the Michigan Amputee Tournament twice and been runner up 7 times. I was part of a USA adaptive golf team at the 2022 Phoenix Cup played in Manchester England winning 4 points for the US team, finished in the top 10 of National Amputee Golf Association championships 5 times. It is with great joy and happiness to be a part of something so amazing as The Cairns Cup.
Jeremy Bittner
Pennsylvania – Leg Amputee
At the age of four, following accident in our garden I lost my lower left leg but after much therapy I was able to walk by my 5th birthday. Growing up I played many sports including baseball, basketball, hockey, racquetball, and skiing however, at the age of 15 I feel in love with golf. The pro at my local course asked if I had ever heard of the Eastern Amputee Golf Association (EAGA). He gave me some information and I signed up for my first tournament, the Pennsylvania Amputee Open in Carlisle, PA. I was able to further refine my craft and lower my handicap to scratch. I have won several amputee tournaments and have finished 2nd in the United States Disabled Open Championship the past 2 years in 2022 and 2023. In 2023 I competed in Abu Dhabi with the G4D Tour as a top 10 ranked player globally alongside the DP World Tour. I am so grateful to be part of this year’s Cairns Cup!
Amy Bockerstette
Indiana – Down Syndrome
Amy became an internet sensation at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open, when she was invited by the PGA Tour and played the famously raucous par 3 16th stadium hole at TPC Scottsdale with defending champion Gary Woodland and playing partner Matt Kuchar. Since then, along with her very supportive family, she launched the I GOT THIS Foundation with a vision to grow the game of golf for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. She has competed in Special Olympics and Adaptive Golf tournaments, including the Special Olympics USA Games (Orlando 2022) and World Games (Berlin 2023), the U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst No. 6 (2022 & 2023), the U.S. Disabled Open
Steve Doudt
Indiana – Seated Player
Served in the USAF 1721st Combat Control Squadron, Special Operations Team Fayetteville, NC from 1987 to 1993 before being medically discharged. Then after retiring from officiating basketball, I was introduced and fell in love with the game of golf. As a seated golfer, it’s been great to be able to get outside and meet so may new people. I love playing in competitions and enjoying being with others on the golf course. So excited to be part of Team USA.
Kevin Holland
Michigan – Cerebral Palsy
I was born with Cerebral Palsy. I picked up a club at the age of 10 and from then on wanted to play golf at a level. Then fast forward to 2017 I was at a local golf course where I learnt all about one arm golf. I played in my first tournament at treetops in Gaylord, Michigan. The same week I went to Michigan amputee tournament where I meet Tracy Ramin and he asked me to be on team in 2018 Phoenix Cup, the event where Billy Cairns sadly died. I was obviously then very honoured to play in the first Cairns Cup in London, and to be chosen to play in my home club at Cherry Creek Golf Club is a dream come true. I will be giving my team all the advice I can, in hope we can retain the trophy!
Greg Hooper
Georgia – Partially Sighted
I have played golf since age of 8. Despite losing my central vision in the right eye at 17 years of age I started playing with high school golf. I continued to play recreational until the loss of central vision at 35 years old. Unable to play alone from that point on, I found my friends wouldn’t let me quit the game and relearned the game using a guide. I later founded the United States Blind Golf Association in 2010 and started playing competitive golf. I have been member of the Vision Cup, the Ryder Cup of Blind Golf representing North America. And extremely proud to be a two-time member of The Cairns Cup representing Team USA.
Sophia Howard
Michigan – Arm Impairment
At 11 years old, I was given an opportunity to attend a junior adaptive golf clinic and an adaptive tournament. This introduced to so many golfers and the adaptive community. Having played golf recreationally previous, this experience set my heart on fire to play competitive adaptive golf. It’s allowed me to be an advocate for adaptive athletes and to inspire other juniors and woman to play golf. I’ve had also the honour of playing in the first two US Adaptive Opens and ended this past year ranked 1st in the US Woman’s G5 Arm category. #GoTeamUSA
Kelsey Koch
Michigan – Leg Amputee
I was born without my tibia bone and my leg was amputated at 11 months old. I started swinging plastic clubs at about four years old and later played Varsity golf for Grand Blanc High School. I went on to run the UM Flint Intramural Golf Team and now the assistant director for Flint Junior Golf Association. I was introduced to adaptive golf in 2018, however, my adaptive journey began in 2022 when it was announced that Kim Moore I after I persuaded Kim Moore to let me caddy for her. The rest is history and just the beginning. This year will be huge for me, and I couldn’t be prouder than to be given the chance to represent my country and adaptive golfer as a whole. Go Team USA!
Evan Mathias
Indiana – Double Leg Amputee
Having been born with congenital defects to both of my legs my family didn’t let that stop me from being the golfer I am today. I started playing disabled golf when I was 10 years old. The first tournament I ever played in was in Circleville, Ohio, ran by John Novak. This tournament launched my disabled golf career, and I am so thankful to this incredible community I was introduced to! I have continued to play in events like the U.S. Adaptive open for the last 2 years. I can’t wait to see how the disabled golf community will grow in the future. Event like The Cairns Cup is helping this happen. This community has helped me to become the person I am today, and I want to show what all of us can do at Cherry Creek in July.
Tracy Ramin
Michigan – Leg Amputee
I have been playing since I was 13, however only took it serious at 17. Won a few leagues with my father as my partner. It was then a horrific accident in 1998, I was left with a 2% survival rate. I played in the Michigan Amputee Golf Association state tournament in 2000 and became hooked on competitive golf. I have since been lucky enough to win the event six times.Michigan. As well as the Midwest Amputee tournament, the Missouri and the GSGA event in Atlanta. Now into a 15-year teaching professional career, I also founded the USAGA. Ex- Executive Director of NAGA, Director of The Cairns Cup and honoured to winning Captain USA Capatin at the inaugrual Cairns Cup in 2022.
Jason Rose
Michigan -Sensory Neuropathy
I have a neurological disorder that started affecting me in my early 20’s. It causes lack of sensation in my legs and arms along with muscle weakness/loss. Because of this I gave up the game of Golf about 10 years ago. However, COVID rekindled my love of the game and it’s been the best therapy for me both physically and mentally. I recently began competing in adaptive golf tournaments and came 3rd at events in Michigan & Illinois. It’s been an addiction ever since. Despite being first reserve on the initial team selection, getting this late call up for team USA is a great honour and I hope to help the team win the cup again. #GoUSA
Brandon Williams
Ohio – Leg Amputee
After a car accident in 2005, I would go out with friends just chipping and putting for therapy, both physically and mentally. That progressed into building a special set of hybrids so that I was able to go out and play 9 holes. I progressed to18 holes eventually joining a league to get that competition back in my life, that I so badly missed and needed! I found in 2017 an amputee golf tournament in Michigan, I’ve been competing in amputee/disabled golf tournaments ever since. I can’t wait to be at Cherry Creek GC in Jul, when I can put my skills to the test against some of the best adaptive golfers in the world.
Marcus Williams
Georgia – Seated Player