TEAM USA
The following players have been chosen to represent Team USA at the 2026 Cairns Cup
The San Roque Club, Sotogrande, Spain
11th – 18th July 2026
Greg Hooper – Non-Playing Captain
Georgia
Greg is a highly respected figure within the United States Blind Golf Association, known for his dedication and leadership. Having played in two Cairns Cups, Greg’s skill and determination were instrumental in helping the USA secure victories both times, earning him admiration from his peers. His contributions go beyond his playing abilities, as his sportsmanship and commitment have made him a role model in the community. In 2026, Greg will serve as the non-playing captain, where his experience and leadership will continue to inspire and guide the team to success on the international stage.
Brandon Williams – Vice-Captain
Ohio – Leg Amputee
Brandon is a remarkable American amputee golfer whose talent and resilience continue to inspire. In 2024, he hit the winning putt in the prestigious Cairns Cup, showcasing his skill and composure under pressure. His determination to succeed after becoming an amputee has earned him respect within the disabled golfing community. His leadership qualities and dedication were further recognized when he was appointed Vice Captain for the 2026 team, a testament to his growing influence in the sport. Through his achievements, Brandon demonstrates that with perseverance, anyone can overcome challenges and excel at the highest levels of competition.
Adam Benza
Philadelphia – Lower Limb Amputee
Adam, a below-knee amputee and cancer survivor, lost his right leg to Ewing’s Sarcoma at age 9. Despite this, he developed a passion for golf and pursued a degree in Professional Golf Management at Penn State University. Since 2009, Adam has competed in and won numerous amputee golf titles, including multiple regional and national championships. He’s also represented the U.S. in international competitions. After overcoming a stroke at 30, Adam founded Moving Foreward, a nonprofit focused on teaching golf to people with disabilities. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he also serves as Vice President of the Eastern Amputee Golf Association.
Bryan Biagioli
Michigan – Leg Amputee
Bryan is an enthusiastic adaptive golfer from Michigan and the proud President of the Michigan Amputee Golf Association (MAGA). Through his leadership, MAGA has become a supportive community for amputee golfers, offering tournaments and a space to connect with others. Bryan is passionate about helping people with limb loss discover the physical and mental benefits of golf. He’s dedicated to creating opportunities for athletes to compete, grow, and enjoy the game, all while building lasting friendships and a strong sense of community. Bryan’s positivity and commitment continue to inspire golfers with disabilities across Michigan and beyond.
Andreas Brandenberger
California – Phocomelia
Andreas was born with phocomelia, a congenital condition that caused both of his arms to end near the elbows. A dedicated adaptive golfer, he is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and accessibility in sports. Through resilience and determination, Andreas has become a powerful voice in the adaptive sports community, inspiring others to overcome physical challenges and follow their dreams. His journey highlights the transformative power of sport, and he continues to motivate audiences around the world. Andreas is proudly preparing to represent Team USA at the 2026 Cairns Cup in Spain.
Jarrett Fultz
Arizona – Cerebral Palsy
Jarrett graduated from Southern Virginia University in 2023 with a degree in Psychology and minors in Coaching and Sports Management. He is currently an assistant golf coach at SVU while working toward becoming a golf teaching professional. Despite living with cerebral palsy, Jarrett has thrived in the sport, leading his high school team to a state title and placing second individually. Since 2023, he has won adaptive tournaments in Ohio, Chicago, and Michigan. For Jarrett, adaptive golf is not just about competition—it’s a way to inspire, promote inclusivity, and empower athletes with disabilities, creating transformative experiences for all.
Ryan Matthews
Indiana – Arm Impairment
Ryan is an inspiring golfer who has overcome significant challenges in his life. Born with one arm, he learned early on to adapt and find his own way of doing things. Despite his physical limitations, Ryan thrived in sports like soccer, basketball, and football before discovering golf. After a round with friends, he joined the North American One-Armed Golf Association (NAOAGA), where he developed his skills and formed meaningful friendships. His talent and determination earned him a spot among the top 12 one-armed golfers in North America, leading to an invitation to compete in the Fightmaster Cup in England.
Shawn Munn
Colorado – Double Amputee (AK & AE)
Shawn is a double amputee whose life was dramatically altered by a tragic farm accident during high school. Surviving the accident thanks to quick intervention, Munn went on to become a top thirty player in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD). He is thrilled to represent the USA at the 2026 Cairns Cup. A passionate advocate for golf, Munn co-founded a golf-focused ministry in Argentina and has worked with professional golfers and college athletes. In addition to being a husband, father, entrepreneur, and business owner, Munn is dedicated to inspiring others through resilience and perseverance.
William Pease
Florida – Partially Sighted
William “Willy Ray” Pease, a blind golfer from Saint Augustine, Florida, is a multi-time National and US Open Blind Golf Champion. In 2023, he led the Vision Cup team to victory at TPC Sawgrass. Diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease, he navigates the course using sound and touch. A former educator, Pease finds joy in his family, supported by his wife, Linda, and children. Inspired by his USGA Adaptive Open experiences, the Pease family founded We Can Golf2, promoting inclusive sports and supporting adaptive athletes, with plans to participate in the 2026 event in Spain.
Orlando Ramirez
Florida – Visual Impairment
Orlando, a B2 golfer from Jacksonville, Florida, has overcome the challenges of Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy, diagnosed in 2011. After discovering blind golf in 2019, he joined the USBGA and has represented the organization in tournaments across Canada, Ireland, and the U.S., consistently finishing at the top. Outside of golf, Orlando manages five government cafeterias through the Florida Division of Blind Services. A father of three and proud new grandfather, Orlando enjoys the game of golf with his wife, Wendy, sharing a mutual passion for the sport.
Jason Rose
Michigan -Sensory Neuropathy
Former jeweler Jason Rose, diagnosed with HSAN-1, a rare disability, found new purpose in golf after leaving his craft. Embracing golf as therapy, he has competed in adaptive tournaments nationwide and represented his country in the 2024 Cairns Cup. Passionate about growing the adaptive golf community, Jason advocates for expanding opportunities and helping others experience the therapeutic benefits of the sport. Grateful for the friendships he’s formed, he continues to ensure more people facing challenges can experience the life-changing impact of golf.
Ely Self
Georgia -Arthrogryposis (AMC)
Ely was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a condition affecting joint mobility throughout his body. Despite physical challenges, he has embraced adaptive golf, beginning competitive play in November 2023. Encouraged by his wife, Ely quickly made his mark, winning his division at the Georgia Adaptive Open at Sea Island and securing a net scoring victory in Atlanta later that year. A dedicated father, teacher, and high school golf coach, Ely now proudly represents Team USA on the international stage, using golf as a platform to inspire perseverance and purpose.
Cassandra “Cassie” Sengul
Virginia – Cerebral Palsy
Cassandra “Cassie”, from Manassas, Virginia, is a freshman golfer at Drew University. Born with cerebral palsy, Cassie has excelled in golf, earning a No. 7 regional ranking during her time at Gainesville High School. She made history by securing her school’s first invitational win with an impressive score of 78. Cassie also qualified for the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open, with the goal of inspiring young girls to take up golf. Off the course, she is a Marketing major, deeply involved in community service, and dedicated to academic excellence. Cassie continues to break barriers both in golf and in life.
James Tipton
Florida – Seated Player
James is a retired military veteran and lifelong golfer with over 40 years of experience in the game. He is the Executive Director of the Florida Panhandle Golf Therapy Alliance, a nonprofit he founded to help veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities improve their physical and mental well-being through golf. James also leads the Florida Panhandle chapter of the Stand Up and Play Foundation, promoting mobility and inclusion through adaptive golf. A decorated competitor in international wheelchair golf events, James continues to inspire others while growing the game as a powerful tool for healing and connection.
Cathy Walch
Illinois – Arm Impairment