Double leg amputee captains British side to second cup win

Ex-serviceman leads way in Simpson Cup

LETHAM GRANGE Golf Club member Ian Bishop made history, as he became the first person to lead Great Britain to victory in the Simpson Cup on home soil.

The Simpson Cup, which was held for the first time last year at TPC Sawgrass in America, was created as a competition for wounded ex-servicemen and sees players from Great Britain pitched against their American counterparts.

VICTORY

Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club was the venue and Bishop, who has played in both matches, led his 13-man side to victory on Merseyside.

Bishop is an ex-Marine with both of his legs amputated above the knee, but that hasn’t stopped him taking to the course and enjoying his golf. The Letham Grange man has not lost a single match in either match so far.

Fellow Scots Matthew Turnbull, from Angus, and Steve Morris from Fife, joined Bishop in the team and he took a lot of pride in being named as captain of the British side.

“It was a great honour and privilege to represent and captain the Great Britain team,” said Bishop. “Even better that we beat the U.S., and all the lads played well.

“It’s only in its second year, but coverage of the competition is slowly building. There were about 300 or 400 people supporting the event at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Next year looks to be massive. It’s being held at Congressional in Washington, and they are expecting over 1,000 spectators.”

Played in support of the On Course Foundation, a charity established by Nick Faldo’s former manager John Simpson, the money raised by the staging of the Simpson Cup is used to support the rehabilitation of wounded ex-servicemen, women and veterans through golf.

“On Course Foundation started over three years ago and the key is we teach golf, both on and off the course on a long term basis to ex-servicemen,” said Simpson.

“I don’t know of any other sport that is such a level playing field if you are disabled and don’t need specialised equipment.”

The two sides will play for the trophy next between October 5-8 at Congressional in Washington .

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