On the eve of 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, Yorkshireman Graham Moore will join Matt Fitzpatrick in representing Team Europe against the USA as he captains the side in the 31st Phoenix Cup – AKA The Disabled Ryder Cup.
Graham was part of the winning team in St Andrews in 2024 and takes over the captaincy from Jim Gales.
“It will be a great honour to captain Europe for the first time,” said Bradford-based retired police officer Graham. “Winning at St Andrews as part of the team was brilliant, but leading the side alongside playing, and competing over in the US for the first time, will be another level.
“The team we’ve assembled brings together men and women of different ages with handicaps from two to 30, and we’re delighted with the group which will represent Europe,” added 75-year-old Graham. “Around half of the players are returning, and mixing the experience with some new blood gives us a very competitive team which will be looking to defend the trophy away from home – something which isn’t easy in any of these kind of matches.”
The event – which takes place at Raven Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona on September 22-24 – mirrors the Ryder Cup format with foursomes on day one, fourballs on day two, and singles matches on the final day.
The European team heading to Arizona includes Graham and Terry Kirby from Tapton Park Golf Club in Chesterfield, plus Jeroen Coumou (vice-captain, The Netherlands), Peter Osborne (vice-captain, England), Cara Osborne (England), Gordon Mclay (Scotland), Mascha Bos (The Netherlands), Cristiano Berlanda (Italy), Kevin Cassidy (Northern Ireland), James Savastano (Wales), Martine Gilks (England), Jim Hamill (Scotland), Alan Robb (Scotland), Jay Penfold (England), Jim Gales MBE (Scotland), Martin Lowe (Scotland) and Glenn Jackson (England).
The Phoenix Cup Group is keen to speak to potential sponsors as it looks to support the players, who pay their own expenses to represent Europe on the international stage. For more information and contact details, visit www.phoenixcup.org.uk
