The Cairns Cup, widely regarded as disability golf’s premier matchplay event, has announced the squads for Team USA and Team Europe ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 competition at San Roque Club in Sotogrande, Spain, from July 11-18.
Founded by Englishmen Kevin Booth and Ian Halliwell in 2018, The Cairns Cup has rapidly become the flagship international competition for adaptive golfers, bringing together athletes with various disabilities in a Ryder Cup-style format that celebrates skill, determination, and sportsmanship at the highest level.
The biennial event honors the memory of Scotland’s Billy Cairns, who passed away the day before the 2018 Phoenix Cup in Florida — an event that inspired the founders to create something truly special for the disability golf community.
Team USA enters the 2026 competition as defending champions, having secured victories in both previous editions – running out convincing 21-3 winners at The Shire London in 2022, and then edging out Europe 12.5-11.5 at Cherry Hills in Michigan in 2024.
The 2024 event saw Brandon Williams sink the decisive putt to secure victory for Team USA after a lightning delay, with the competition going down to the final matches—a testament to the rising competitiveness of the event.
The San Roque Club’s legendary Old Course provides a prestigious stage for the 2026 competition. Steeped in history, the venue hosted 15 consecutive European Tour Schools from 1993-2007 and the Spanish Open in 2005. The club also served as team accommodation during the iconic 1997 Ryder Cup at nearby Valderrama.
Designed by Dave Thomas, the championship course features bent-grass tees, greens, and fairways surrounded by 75 strategically placed bunkers, with massive greens averaging 7,500 square feet across 6,813 yards of formidable play.
Next year will see Team Europe captained by Englishman Kris Aves, a former policeman who was paralyzed in the Westminster Bridge terrorist attack in 2017. Kris has competed in two Cairns Cups and now brings his inspirational leadership to the captain’s role. His journey from tragedy to triumph embodies the spirit of The Cairns Cup.
Team USA will be led by Greg Hooper, a highly respected figure within the United States Blind Golf Association. Greg has played in both previous Cairns Cups, helping secure victories each time. His experience and leadership will be crucial as USA seeks a third consecutive title.
TEAM EUROPE
Charlie Appleyard (England) – Vice-Captain, founder of Sports Parkinson’s
Cian Arthurs (Ireland) – Two-time World One-Armed Champion
Marc Oller Astort (Spain) – Spanish blind golfer competing on home soil
José Bagnarelli (Italy) – 2024 Cairns Cup veteran
Jason Croucher (England) – Founder of Brokenplayaz, ranked 6th in England
Graham Freeman (Belgium) – Paraplegic paragolfer, inaugural Woburn Open winner
Miroslav Halmo (Slovakia) – First Slovak player in Cairns Cup history
Oliver Hirst-Greenham (England) – 2023 English Open champion
Mike Jones (Wales) – Former European No. 1, multiple EDGA title
Giulia Marabotti (Italy) – Overcame 13 surgeries to win 2024 Nations Cup
Iain Millar (England) – 2024 Cairns Cup veteran
Issa Nlareb (Italy/Cameroon) – Ranked 8th in world paragolf
Melody Roccaz (France) – European champion in seated play
Patrick Rosenast (Switzerland) – First Swiss representative, cancer survivor
Cassidy Steffens (England) – World ranked 22nd, Tourette Syndrome advocate
TEAM USA
Brandon Williams (Ohio) – Vice-Captain, 2024 winning putt hero
Adam Benza (Philadelphia) – Founder of Moving Foreward
Bryan Biagioli (Michigan) – President of Michigan Amputee Golf Association
Andreas Brandenberger (California) – Phocomelia advocate and motivational speaker
Jarrett Fultz (Arizona) – Led high school team to state title
Jason Hasty (Virginia) – Founder of NUBZ Golf Solutions
Ryan Matthews (Indiana) – Top 12 one-armed golfer in North America
Shawn Munn (Colorado) – Top 30 WR4GD, double amputee
William Pease (Florida) – Multi-time National and US Open Blind Golf Champion
Orlando Ramirez (Florida) – USBGA international competitor
Jason Rose (Michigan) – 2024 Cairns Cup veteran
Ely Self (Georgia) – 2023 Georgia Adaptive Open champion
Cassandra Sengul (Virginia) – Drew University freshman, cerebral palsy advocate
Jamie Srubas (Georgia) – Stroke survivor, GSGA Adaptive Golf volunteer
James Tipton (Florida) – Executive Director, Florida Panhandle Golf Therapy Alliance
Cathy Walch (Illinois) – Two-time USGA Adaptive Open women’s upper limb champion
The Cairns Cup operates on a unique model ensuring financial accessibility – players are selected based on ability and merit, not financial means. The organisation is raising €200,000 to fully fund all 34 players for the 2026 competition, covering travel, accommodation, and tournament expenses.
“This event is about so much more than just golf,” said co-founder Kevin Booth. “It’s about giving every player, regardless of their financial situation, the chance to compete at the highest level, forming lifelong friendships, and proving that disability is no barrier to sporting excellence.”
The week-long event includes a charity golf day, opening ceremony, three days of competition – fourballs, foursomes, and singles matches – followed by a gala & presentation dinner.