It's not called the Ryder Cup, but it might as well be. The 31st Phoenix Cup, which will be held in Phoenix from September 21st to 24th, is one of the most prestigious and anticipated competitions in world Paralympic golf and is universally known as the Paralympic Ryder Cup. This edition will feature an Italian for the first time, Cristiano Berlanda, born in Lecco in 1974. This event, scheduled for the United States, goes far beyond sport: passion, talent, and determination come together here, in a challenge that unites top-level athletes from two continents.
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The European team, defending last year's title on the Old Course at St. Andrews, will take to the field to proudly defend the prestigious Cup won just a few kilometers from Edinburgh. On the other side will be the American team, which will try with all its might to reclaim the trophy in front of its home crowd.
Cristiano Berlanda is experiencing a thrilling eve of his European team debut. The phocomelic golfer, who has been playing on courses across Europe with excellent results for years, was called up in March by English captain Graham Moore, and the news was naturally greeted with great joy. Since then, together with the national team's coach Nicola Maestroni, Berlanda has undertaken an intense technical preparation program, not neglecting his athleticism.
"Cristiano has all it takes to give his all and bring a great result to the European team," says coach Nicola Maestroni, who follows him closely. The tournament, which will be played on the Raden Golf Club course in Phoenix using the classic Ryder Cup format, promises to be a heated and competitive affair.
We asked Berlanda what it means to be the first Italian to wear the European colors in a Paralympic Ryder Cup, and with his characteristic simplicity and serenity, he made no secret of his state of mind: "I can't sleep at night," he said. "My commitment to preparation has been maximum, and I must thank FIG President Cerchiai and the entire Federation, who have always given me all the support they could, even in the most difficult moments. Thanks also go to my wife Yasmin, to all my Paralympic teammates, from Perrino to the entire Italian Team, and not forgetting the INAIL Prosthetics Center in Budrio for the prosthetic equipment provided. A special thanks goes to the Lecco Golf Club, which, along with Michele Rigoni, has supported me daily, as well as National Technical Director Roberto Zappa, who is always available for valuable advice on the game."
And immediately after Phoenix, the show will continue because two days later, in New York, the real Ryder Cup will also start and, as the English tabloids headline, "Two powerful Ryder Cups, one goal: to win and take home the Cup."
