World Number Nine Jim Furyk (Srixon tour Player) led the USA to a super five-point victory in the Srixon/Cleveland Golf Transatlantic battle at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Miami this week.
The invite-only event, in association with Virgin Atlantic, airlines saw 10 teams compete in an 18-hole golf event USA V’s The Rest of The World competition, over the spectacular Soffer course at the five-star Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club on Monday 15th March.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 30 lucky amateurs from the UK and US, who had won their place through competitions or were invited as special guests, to tee it up alongside some of the world’s finest players in a friendly, yet hotly-contested fourball match.
Team USA, captained by Furyk and made up of fellow PGA Tour professionals Steve Marino, Jerry Kelly and Nationwide Tour player Keegan Bradley, secured the victory with 10 points in the matchplay format where each team recorded the best two scores (one gross, one net) out of their fourball on every hole.
The Rest of The World team, captained by Vijay Singh and made up of leading European Tour professionals Soren Kjeldsen, Tim Clark, Gonzalo Fernandez Castano and David Howell, finished five shots adrift.
“The conditions were tough out there,” commented victorious Team USA captain Jim Furyk. “There was a lot of wind and the course was playing long but the amateurs loved it. To be able to play golf on a Tour standard course off the back tees is a real test and my team performed fantastically under pressure to secure the victory.”
The amateur golfers really were treated like Tour professionals for the day, with the Srixon/Cleveland Golf Tour truck on the driving range, just like a tour event, to offer advice and club alterations before their game. In true Ryder Cup style each player was dressed in team colours and there was live on course scoring keeping the tension high throughout.
Benny Baez, Director of Group Sales, Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club said: “We were delighted to host the Srixon/Cleveland Golf Transatlantic Tussle. Our infamous 18th hole, a tough par 5 with a hard-to-hit green guarded by a lake provided a very dramatic end to what was an exciting event!”
Along with a memorable round of golf the guests and players were treated to a memorable stay with four nights accommodation including food and drinks at the five-star Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Miami, return flights with Virgin Atlantic including transfers and tickets to last Sunday's World Golf Championships played over the feared Blue Monster course at Doral.
“Our thanks go to Virgin Atlantic for flying the competitors to the event and to the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club for hosting this event,” said Cleveland Golf global brand director Chuck Thiry. “Both teams enjoyed an incredible four days and were treated like VIPs. It was the perfect way to treat our top customers. Thanks also to our Srixon/Cleveland Golf Tour players for giving up their time and proving why they are such great ambassadors for our two brands.”