Team Europe, composed of three skilled golfers from Italy, Ireland and Spain, triumphed in the prestigious ISPS Handa All-Abilities Competition at World Champions Cup, held at the Concession Golf Club in Brandenton, Florida.
Nine of the best disabled athletes in the world took part in the challenge, selected based on the world ranking (WR4GD) of the category.
Tommaso Perrino, results
The tournament was played in three sessions, during which each competitor challenged all their opponents and the points obtained on each hole were counted for the ranking.
Team Europe scored 92 points, edging out Team International (87) and Team USA (64). An extraordinary victory, which demonstrates the great talent of our players and the strength of our continent in golf for athletes with disabilities.
Champion Perrino, ranked sixth in the world, has added a new success to his already long list of triumphs. During the first day, he triumphed in both matches, as did Lawlor, the second in the ranking, while Postigo Arce placed first and second.
At the end of the round, Team Europe finished ahead with 61.5 points compared to 53.5 for the International representatives, and 47 for the American representatives. On the second day, Lawlor and Postigo Arce took the victory, while Perrino was still on the pitch.
“They told me – explained the blue – that I had to reach six points to win and I had already reached them on the sixth hole. Subsequently, I relaxed a little with the certainty of victory, and Willis was able to take advantage of it, but by now the result was no longer influential.
However, I am very satisfied with my performance and above all with the result.” The American team fielded Jack Bonifant (no. 17), Luke Carroll (no. 25) and Kenny Bontz (no. 34), while the trio of internationals consisted of Canadians Kurtis Barkley (no.
5) and Chris Willis (no. . 20) and the Australian Lachlan Wood (n. 9), winner of the first event of the 2024 G4D Tour, the Australian All Abilities Championship. ISPS Handa invests in promoting golf for the blind and disabled with awareness of the sport’s unique power to generate hope, overcome cultural and educational barriers and inspire people in a way that can unite communities globally.
The Italian Golf Federation has been joining this project for years, creating a Paralympic sector made up of athletes who successfully represent Italy at an international level. Among these athletes stands out Tommaso Perrino, the Technical Commissioner of the Italian Men’s and Women’s National Paralympic Team.
Source: Tennis World USA