Cairns Cup plants first U.S. roots at Cherry Creek Golf Club

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — It was as competitive as the Ryder Cup with an emphasis on so much more than representing each player’s team.

From July 31 to Aug. 2, the Cairns Cup, a biennial tournament between disability golfers from the United States and Europe, took place on U.S. soil for the first time ever as golfers migrated to Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Township.

The Cairns Cup was first played in 2022 in the United Kingdom. It was named after Billy Cairns, a Scottish disability golfer for the European team at the 2018 Phoenix Cup in Florida who passed away a day after arriving for the tournament.

In honor of his name and his impact on those around him, the two teams made it a mission to make sure his legacy carried on both in their hearts and on the golf course, prompting the creation of the Cairns Cup aka “The Billy.”

The tournament was created in 2020 with an emphasis on bringing awareness to golfers with disabilities.

The U.S. team took a convincing win in 2022 on European soil, but courtesy of Washington Township native Kevin Holland’s frequent trips to Five Iron Golf in Shelby Township, the worldwide tournament found a home locally. Holland, who has cerebral palsy, competed for Team USA in the 2022 Cairns Cup.

Holland opened the door to a potential Cairns Cup locally, and Five Iron Golf Shelby Township general manager Ryan Miller met with the Cairns Cup USA vice president, John Bell, and director Jonathan Snyder. From there, it all happened in the blink of an eye.

“We just connected right away,” Miller said. “I’ve done a lot of stuff with the Wounded Warrior Project before with the previous company I worked with, and I’ve always had a passion for that type of stuff. With Kevin (Holland) being one of — we say our mascot — but one of our main members, so finding that connection and meeting the guys, it was something I took to my corporate team right away. It seemed like a no-brainer for us, with our values and what we believe in as a company, matching up with them.”

Several months later, Five Iron Golf became the training center for both Team USA and Team Europe as they prepared for the 2024 tournament at Cherry Creek Golf Course, a course Holland calls his “home course.”

Team Europe made it more competitive this season, but it was Team USA who ultimately pulled off the 12.5-11.5 win in the three-day match play tournament.

Holland said it was a special feeling seeing everyone gather to compete for another year of the tournament, especially at his local course.

“I was really honored,” Holland said. “It was truly an experience to have it be at my own course and be able to help out with doing everything with bringing Five Iron in.”

Kim Moore, head coach of Western Michigan University’s women’s golf team, captained Team USA while Tineke Loogman, a golfer from the Netherlands, captained Team Europe.

It was the first time in tournament history both teams had women captains, and a significant change from when Moore, a leg amputee who competed in 2022, was the only woman on Team USA’s side the first year. This year, Europe featured four female golfers while Team USA had five.

Moore said the growth of the tournament from the first year to now has been immeasurable, but said the impact it brings to people with disabilities around the game of golf is what she’s really noticed.

“It just grows awareness for adaptive golf and people with disabilities,” Moore said. “Hopefully it’s bringing more awareness, and I know it is because I’ve played in a number of adaptive events in my lifetime, and it just continues to grow, and the participants continue to grow, and the awareness continues to grow. You can see it through all the different adaptive tournaments throughout the U.S. and the different states starting their own and starting their own associations. It’s great to see.”

Moore said the number of fans with disabilities who came to watch the tournament take place was touching to see.

Team USA featured golfers from across the country with Pennsylvania (2), North Carolina (1), Indiana (4), Georgia (2), Ohio (1) and the state with the largest number of golfers, Michigan (6), all representing.

Moore said it’s fascinating to meet the new golfers and learn about their journey, but said at the end of the day it’s a team of golfers working together toward a common goal.

“Everybody has a different story and everybody is unique in that aspect, but when we come together, it’s golf,” Moore said. “It doesn’t matter what their disability is or what their story is. We’re all kind of in the same boat and going through our own challenges, but we’re all here to enjoy the game of golf, the camaraderie, and represent our countries, which is great.”

Team USA and Team Europe spent quality time throughout the week at Five Iron Golf, talking, golfing and partying a little bit at the opening party and after-party following the tournament.

When you watch their swings and how smooth the ball is struck, you’d never know the golfers had to overcome massive obstacles.

For Miller, he said there was only one word that he could use to describe it.

“For me, it’s inspirational more than anything,” Miller said. “I used to consider myself a good golfer. I don’t have as much time to play anymore, but still consider myself a pretty decent golfer. Seeing these guys, whether some are near or farsighted, some in wheelchairs, some with prosthetics or other limitations, there really is no limitation at the end of the day, and that’s what makes this game so fascinating. … There’s something in the game for you. Going in the tournament and playing with these guys and ladies and just seeing the energy they bring to the course, it’s inspirational.”

The 2026 Cairns Cup is set to be played at Celtic Manor in the United Kingdom with Team USA hoping to extend its winning streak to three, while 2028 in Florida and 2030 in Spain are also scheduled.

While this tournament is at the forefront of golfers with disabilities uniting on the course, the adaptive golf scene has grown significantly with tournaments and clinics all over the U.S courtesy of the U.S. Adaptive Golf Association.

“Everybody is different,” Holland said. “The great thing is that we’re doing clinics now, so if people are interested in wanting to get in the game, then get a hold of Five Iron and come in and you’ll probably see me in there practicing. It’s easier said than done. It’s usga.org if anyone is looking to get involved in adaptive golf. They’re the ones who do a lot of programs all over the U.S.”

For more information on adaptive golf, visit usaga.org. For more information on the Cairns Cup, visit www.thecairnscup.com.