With the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor Resort merely weeks away, a nearby golf club is gearing up for an alternative tournament that will see players competing with one arm only.
The Fightmaster Cup, which is being held for the first time on European soil at Marriott St Pierre Golf and Country Club in Chepstow from September 10–12, is the equivalent of the Ryder Cup for one armed golfers and sees players from the North American One Armed Golf Association take on a team from the Society of One Armed Golfers which represents players from the rest of the world.
The match play format follows that of the Ryder Cup, with the tournament consisting of eight foursome matches, eight four-ball matches and twelve singles matches.
Malcolm Guy, organiser of the Fightmaster Cup 2010 and the team captain of the Society of One Armed Golfers, said: “I’m delighted to be the organiser of this world class golf event which gives us a great opportunity to compete as a team against the world’s leading one armed golfers.
“Our players have been training hard and we look forward to demonstrating passion and dedication at the tournament.”
The tournament will be played on St Pierre’s Old course, which has previously hosted tournaments including The Dunlop Masters, Epson Grand Prix and Solheim Cup and has recently been part of a £6million investment throughout the St Pierre estate.
Sergio Garcia has added his support for the competition.
“I have great admiration for these golfers who chase their dream and focus on their abilities instead of disabilities,” said the Spaniard.
“The first Fightmaster Cup was a great success two years ago, and we should all look at this event as a great example of the strength of the human spirit and sportsmanship. “I’d like to wish both teams all the best for the 2010 Fightmaster Cup and thank them for the inspiration they provide to all of us.”
The inaugural Fightmaster Cup took place in Louisville Kentucky in 2008 and was won by the US.
The tournament is organised by the Society of One Armed Golfers which this year will be represented by twelve of its players, team Captain Malcolm Guy and Vice Captain Douglas Jopp.
