Ten local On Course Foundation agencies will receive a portion of the event’s proceeds.
PITTSFORD, N.Y. – On Sept. 20 and 21, 26 injured servicemen and veterans, from either side of the Atlantic, will lock horns for the annual Simpson Cup on the East and West courses of Oak Hill Country Club.
The competition, now in its fifth edition since the inaugural event at TPC Sawgrass in 2012, pits 13 of the aforementioned servicemen and veterans from the United States against their British counterparts in a Ryder Cup-style tournament to raise funds and awareness for the On Course Foundation, a charitable organization that is registered in the U.S. and the U.K.
All tournament competitors are members of the Foundation, which helps men and women who were injured, sick or wounded in the line of duty rebuild their lives through the opportunity to play the game and attaining employment in the golf industry. The foundation’s patrons include Arnold Palmer and the Duke of York.
Ten local veterans’ organizations will receive a portion of the proceeds from this year’s Simpson Cup: Veterans Outreach Center, CDS Warrior Salute, NY Warrior Alliance, EquiCenter, Veterans Affairs at St. John Fisher College, Academy for Veterans Success at MCC, Veterans Affairs at Nazareth College, Veterans Affairs Program at RIT, Hope for the Warriors and Eagle Star Housing.
The Simpson Cup is the marquee event for the charity and, in addition to Sawgrass, has graced esteemed golf courses, such as Royal Lytham & St Annes (2013), Congressional Country Club (2014) and Royal St George’s Golf Club (2015). Team GB will arrive at Oak Hill this September as defending champions, having lured the cup away from Team USA at Royal St George’s last year in a thrilling match that ended with a score-line of 9.5 points to 8.5. It added to Team GB’s other triumphs in 2012 and 2013, with Congressional in 2014 being the only American victory to date.
The tournament is named after its founder, John Simpson, former senior vice president of International Management Group. Simpson, who has only one fully functioning leg as a result of polio as a child, is also the chairman and founder of the On Course Foundation. Having managed players such as Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer, who took center stage in the 1995 Ryder Cup, seeing his event come to Oak Hill is all the more special.
“I am truly humbled that the Simpson Cup will be taking place at such a historic and glorious course,” Simpson said. “We all remember the extraordinary scenes here from ’95, and I can’t wait to see it all recreated again in our own unique way. Each year, we’ve seen the most moving and inspiring stories emerge at the Simpson Cup. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what the class of 2016 has in store for us, and it will be a privilege to watch these guys put on another terrific spectacle at this, one of my favourite golfing venues in the world.”
He continued: “The competition and the events leading up to it encapsulate what the On Course Foundation is all about, and giving these incredible veterans the opportunity to shape their futures, both in terms of playing golf and building a sustainable career, is the very least they deserve.”
The 115-year-old Oak Hill Country Club has hosted the U.S. Open on three occasions, along with three PGA Championships, and Club President Tim Thaney echoed Simpson’s delight at adding this remarkable tournament to the already-impressive repertoire.
“Our head golf professional, Jason Ballard, let us know about the Simpson Cup, and when we started conversations with John Simpson about possibly hosting the Simpson Cup at Oak Hill, we jumped at the chance to be involved,” he said. “Club representatives were able to visit Royal St. George’s last year and Congressional two years ago. Their experience convinced us that Oak Hill should ask to be considered as the next American host club. Aside from the heroic performances put on by the players, this tournament offers something so profound and inspiring, and it is truly a great honor for us to be a part of the fantastic work the On Course Foundation is doing.”
The Simpson Cup begins Sunday, Sept. 18, with the opening ceremony and a fundraising gala dinner at the Oak Hill Pavilion. The following day sees the player/sponsors competition at the East Course before the tournament begins on Tuesday, Sept. 20, with six four-ball matches (two against two, better ball) at the West Course. The competition ends Wednesday morning with 12 singles matches back at the East Course.
Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend. To reserve tickets, click here. Space is limited.
Proceedings will round off later that day with the cup being presented to the winning team before the closing ceremony brings the curtain down on what will undoubtedly be a memorable week for all involved.
Schedule of Simpson Cup Events (all on site at Oak Hill Country Club):
Sunday, Sept. 18: Official Opening Ceremony, followed by Gala Dinner
Monday, Sept. 19: Player/Sponsor Tournament (East Course)
Tuesday, Sept. 20: Simpson Cup Tournament Day 1 — Four Ball matches (West Course)
Wednesday, Sept. 21: Simpson Cup Tournament Day 2 — Singles matches (East Course)
Wednesday, Sept. 21: Cup Presentation and Closing Ceremony
The On Course Foundation:
The On Course Foundation (OCF) is a registered charity in the UK and a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organisation in the USA. OCF provides long-term benefits for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen personnel and veterans via golf coaching, work experience placements and jobs in the golf industry. Endorsed by the R&A and US PGA Tour, with His Royal Highness The Duke of York and Arnold Palmer as Patrons, OCF has an ever-growing number of injured members and the Foundation has secured full-time employment for numerous ex-Servicemen and women in the golf industry, with many more undertaking work experience placements with a view to full-time employment.
The Simpson Cup:
The Simpson Cup is an annual tournament between teams of 13 injured Servicemen and veterans from the USA and their British counterparts. The Ryder Cup-style tournament showcases the unique position of golf as one of the few sports where players of all skills and abilities can play together on a level playing field, because of the official golf handicap system.
The tournament is named after its founder, John Simpson, the former Senior Vice President of International Management Group (IMG), who has only one fully functioning leg as a result of suffering from polio as a child. During his time at IMG, John managed elite sportsmen such as Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman, Vijay Singh, and Lord Sebastian Coe.
Competitors involved in the Simpson Cup are all members of the On Course Foundation. The Simpson Cup raises awareness and funds for the On Course Foundation, a 501(c)(3) registered organization in the USA and a registered charity in the UK.