Team USA defeated the European team, which included Cristiano Berlanda, the first Italian to compete, 13-11 in the 31st edition of the Phoenix Cup, considered the Ryder Cup for Paralympic athletes, held at the Raven Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona. The event followed the Ryder Cup theme, with twelve teams competing over three days: the first two days featuring foursomes and fourball matches, and the third featuring singles matches.
Phoenix Cup, results
It was a very close match, with plenty of competitive spirit and great fair play, which was decided in the closing stages. The continental team initially took a 4.5-1.5 lead in the foursomes, thanks to contributions from Berlanda and England's Jay Penfold, who beat Kody Conover/Erik Bowen (1 up) with a par on the final hole.
In the fourballs, the Americans mounted a decisive fight and closed the gap with a 4-2 scoreline (6.5-5.5). Berlanda was rested for the occasion, but then lost in the singles against Hawaiian Amanda Cunha (4&3). The Americans overtook the Americans, winning 7.5 points to their opponents' 4.5. They thus gained revenge for the defeat they suffered in the previous edition at St. Andrews, Scotland.
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"It was a wonderful adventure," said Berlanda, a 47-year-old from Lecco, who has competed for years in Italy and abroad with excellent results. "The outcome leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, but I experienced three spectacular days, in an incredibly inclusive atmosphere. There was sport, tension, determination, and suffering, but at the end of the match, all friends gathered in the clubhouse to celebrate. For me, it was a significant commitment and sacrifice, but I'm truly happy to have been there and I thank everyone, from the FIG to the coaches, who supported me in every way."
These are the two teams. Team Europe, with England's Graham Moore as captain, another American, Peter Osborne, and Dutchman Jeroen Coumou, serving as vice-captains, and coached by Cara Osborne, also featured Berlanda, along with England's Terry Kirby, Jay Penfold, and Glenn Jackson, Scotland's Gordon McLay, Jim Hamill, Alan Robb, and Jim Gales, Northern Ireland's Kevin Cassidy, Wales' James Savastano, and two ladies, Dutchwoman Mascha Bos and England's Martine Gilks.
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Team USA, with Steve Husome (Iowa) as captain, fielded Larry Celano (Arizona), assistant player captain, Jamie Allen (Michigan), Isaac Berge and Robby Donarski (Wisconsin), Bailey Bish and Rob Walden (Arizona), Erik Bowen (North Carolina), Brandon Canesi (New Jersey), Kody Conover (Nevada), Amanda Cunha (Hawaii), Ricky Reilly (New York) and Max Togisala (Utah).
