Third Time Is a Charm
United States Continues Its Dominance in Robinson Cup Matches
by Pattie Cox
"To me, every day of the United States National Amputee Tournament is a wonderful experience, but I have to admit that Friday is my favorite day of the tournament week. Not only do we get to watch great golf, but the players combine it with intense competition and wonderful sportsmanship. We also have the each year chance to honor my father and his legacy by naming the Robinson Cup competition for him," remarked Eric Robinson, Co-founder of College Park Industries. Wearing his trademark two-toned shirt to show his neutrality, Robinson kicked off the 9th annual competition at Orchard Valley Golf Course in Aurora, Illinois on August 31, 2007 by welcoming team captains Kim Moore of the United States and Ray Piper of Australia. Robinson commented further, "As the sole sponsor of the Robinson Cup, College Park is striving to further the goal of uniting amputee golfers on a global level."  While patterned after the Ryder Cup format, the Robinson Cup is a one-day event. Both the US and International teams are comprised of 16 players. Each year, the US team is chosen based on play in the previous year's US NAGA Championship. The International team is chosen based on play at the current year's NAGA Championship.
With the competition's birth in 1999, the International team looked to be in a strong position as they claimed the Cup in 1999 and 2000. But the US came back with a victory in 2001. It was to be their last for three long years, as the International squad dominated play from 2002 - 2004. So, it was a sweet victory for the United States in 2005 when they recaptured the Cup at Bethpage State Park on Long Island. In 2006, the US retained the title in matches held at Onion Creek Club in Austin, Texas. "Winning in 2007 was special because it sets up the opportunity for a great rematch in 2008, which will be the 10th anniversary of the competition. Every year, the good-natured ribbing gets a little more spirited so we can hardly wait for next year," says Dan Cox, former US Captain and Robinson Cup Coordinator. Next years matches will be played on Friday, August 22nd at Plum Creek Golf and Country Club in Castle Rock, Colorado.  Beginning the day with alternating shot matches in the morning, Captains Moore and Piper matched their golfers carefully to make the most of golf skills, stamina and mental toughness. Honorary starter Don Zommer started the competition by announcing each pairing on the 1st tee.
The International team got off to a quick start, with Takuya "Mac" Akiyama and Masato Koyamada of Japan besting Jacob Adams of Iowa and Matt Hubbard of Arkansas, two rising young stars on the US team, 6-5. In the second match, Masayuki Goto and Yoshio Asano of Japan won over Dennis Ithal of Illinois and Thomas Bourgeouis of Texas 8-7. It looked like it might be a long day for the US, but Bill Harding of Arizona and former US Captain Kellie Valentine-Andrews of Pennsylvania topped Josh Williams and Gwen Davies of Canada 6-5.
Paired with Trevor Reich from South Africa, Reinhard Friske of Germany gained a point for the International team with a victory over Corbin Cherry and Curtis Baker, both of California. The next three matches went the US way; with Captain Kim Moore of Indiana and John Novak of Ohio over Vic McClelland and Klaus Schaloske of Canada, Pennsylvanians John Prestwood and John Brough, Jr. winning convincingly over Ralph Warrington and Bob MacDermott of Canada and Don Vickery of Georgia and Kenny Green of Tennessee defeating Dallas Smith and John McNaughton of Canada. The morning's matches ended with a tight contest, and a win for the International side, with Mac O'Grady of Ireland and Mike Wraight of England triumphing over Tim Vincent of California and Dan Hodess of Florida on the last hole of play.  With matches 4-4 heading into the afternoon, tensions and strategy ran high at lunch, with valued volunteers Craig Van Kessel and Mitch Lawson preparing the carts for afternoon play while encouraging both sides to victory. After playing one or two practice rounds, three tournament rounds and then the morning match, many players can begin to tire, mentally and physically. "It's always amazing to see how everyone digs deep in the afternoon matches for more energy, knowing the pressure is on, not only for you as an individual, but for your team," states Robinson.
In the afternoon matches players go head-to-head and they are handicapped based on their scores posted during the NAGA National Championship. Cox believes this is a very fair way of handicapping the matches, especially if someone is on a "hot streak" during the week. But, the captains know that the same inner qualities that they looked for in pairing the morning matches will serve the players well in the tough afternoon stretch.  With the score tied, Tim Vincent and Reinhard Friske teed it up first for the afternoon. In a tight match, Tim won, pulling the USA just ahead. In the following contest, Robinson Cup Rookie Thomas Bourgeois matched up against Masayuki Goto and furthered the US lead. With the next two matches, the US looked to be on a roll. Curtis Baker beat John McNaughton and Bill Harding and Bob MacDermott fought to the bitter end, with Bill winning his second match of the day on the 18th hole. The US had built an 8-4 lead. But the International team would not give in, with Yoshio Asano over Dennis Ithal in the 5th match of the afternoon – his second win for the day.
Putting in an amazing performance, next year's International Captain, Gwen Davies, taught Matt Hubbard a thing or two about women's golf. Gwen was overjoyed with her 4-3 victory over Matt. But, just as the International team would not give up, the US roared back, winning the next four matches. John Prestwood won his second match of the day over Klaus Schaloske, followed by Corbin Cherry's victory over Trevor Reich. John Novak became the fourth double winner of the day as he bested Mac O'Grady in a battle of one-arm golfers. Jacob Adams continued the US winning ways with a win over Masato Koyamada.
The International team battled on. After requesting a match with former NAGA Champion Kenny Green from Captain Ray Piper, who was happy to oblige, Josh Williams proved he was up to the task with a clear cut win. Trevor Reich followed up with a win over Don Vickery for the International team. However, the end was coming for
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