On July 15-17, four Georgians will represent the United States in the 2026 Cairns Cup at San Roque Golf Club in Spain - Greg Hooper of Powder Springs (pictured top left), Ely Self of Dahlonega (top right), Jamie Srubas of Acworth (bottom left) and Cathy Walch of Buford (bottom right). The Cairns Cup brings together the finest adaptive golfers from the United States and Europe in a match play competition.
Hooper (Vision Impairment) will serve as a non-playing captain for Team USA and has participated in multiple Cairns Cups (2022, 2024), while this will be the first appearance for each of Self (Coordination Impairment), Srubas (Coordination Impairment) and Walch (Arm Impairment). The Cairns Cup is widely regarded as the premier match play event in adaptive golf.
Each Georgian caught up with the GSGA prior to heading across the Atlantic Ocean to discuss their selection to the team and representing their country on one of the biggest stages in adaptive golf. Below, you can find their responses to GSGA's questions grouped by the three playing competitors (Self, Srubas and Walch) and by the captain (Hooper). You can learn more about the Cairns Cup and follow along with the action by CLICKING HERE.
What does it mean to you to be able to represent the United States on an international stage playing with the best in adaptive golf from your country and against the best from Europe?
Self: “It means the world to me. I never dreamed a golf ball would take me anywhere really but especially to Europe. I am representing my country, but it also gives me a chance to spread my faith and just try to inspire people. It's huge. I never dreamed that this would happen to me.”
Srubas: “I can’t explain exactly how much it means to me to be a part of this team. It was an honor to be chosen. It gives me even more reasons to expand not only the game of golf but the whole world of Adaptive Golf as well, especially because I see on social media how much the Europeans are building a coalition of courses and supporters that sponsor the adaptive golfers in other countries. I look forward to representing our country in a positive light and doing my country proud.”
Walch: “I am honored to be chosen to represent Team USA alongside my teammates at the Cairn’s Cup in Spain this July. It is truly the thrill of a lifetime.”
What were your emotions when you got the call about playing for the U.S. squad?
Self: “I was overcome with emotions. I started crying and couldn't hardly talk. I was blown away. I remember telling my wife that I applied for this and that was in Spain, but that nothing was probably going to come from it. So, it was very emotional when I found out because I did not think I had a chance.”
Srubas: “Elation, first. Then a sense of pride washed over me. Then fear, because I have never played match play golf, so I had to learn it from scratch.”
Walch: “I had a rush of emotions when Greg asked me to join the team. I was both excited and thrilled but also a little nervous. I don’t want to let my team down. I guess all I can do is bring the best game I have and enjoy the camaraderie as we take on Team Europe.”
What are you most looking forward to about your time in Spain?
Self: “It's hard to pick one thing, but the once in a lifetime aspect of this and getting to play golf on a different continent. I've never played in a different country, let alone across the Atlantic. So, that's gonna be pretty odd for me. Normally, if I was going to Spain, it'd probably be a, a trip for my wife and I and there would be no golf. It would be more of a sight sightseeing and that kind of thing. To be able to go and focus on golf for a week in Spain is going to be insane.”
Srubas: “I look forward to the experiences that await me and my wife. I was in Spain once way back in the late 1980s on the way home from a 6-month deployment in Italy repairing submarines and other vessels in transit to and from the Persian Gulf. And even though we were only in Malaga for a couple of days, it was like they vacuumed the streets overnight. The people were so friendly, and it was almost like being home. I really hope to share this with my wife and caretaker!”
Walch: “There are two things I’m most looking forward to. One, I can’t wait to meet the European team and play with adaptive golfers from all over Europe. Second, I’m looking forward to playing as a team, which is something I haven’t done since I played in high school and college. Even though golf is an individual sport and we as adaptive athletes always support each other, there’s something about the team camaraderie that makes you feel a sense of togetherness and bonding. That’s an amazing feeling.”
What would a successful week in Spain look like for you?
Self: “God has made it very clear that golf has a place in my life.I started competing a couple of years ago, and since then it's gone from helping with the GSGA Adaptive Golf clinics to being a high school golf coach to now getting picked for this. Any successful week of golf, especially in Spain, is just being able to spread the gospel a little bit and share my testimony and my faith. This platform with Team USA and the Cairns Cup gives me a chance to do so, and and of course, I want to win. I want to play well. I want to stay safe and healthy and all those things, you know, the cliche answer. A little a little deeper for me is having a chance to maybe inspire somebody and talk about Jesus.”
Srubas: “Just experiencing the local area. Churches in Europe are architectural wonders. It would be great to see and experience them as a civilian not just a sailor on liberty. And trying the local restaurants, trying the cuisine, maybe even visit Gibraltar or tour in Morocco. Those are all exciting things to look forward to. That and making new friends and networking with them.”
Walch: “To me, what would make this week in Spain a success would be to walk away with new friendships formed by the common bond we, as players, have which is the love we all have for the game and the rewards this game provides all of us with the 'extra' challenges we share. All we can hope for is to bring our best game with us.”
When you started your journey in adaptive golf, did you think something like this was possible where you would be playing for your country?
Self: “Not at all. I've played golf a long time and only started competing maybe two years ago, and I was hesitant to even do it then because I didn't think I was good enough. I didn't think I could do it and accepted the push from my wife to go ahead and play and here we are. Even before I got the phone call last year, I decided I want to play in a tournament or two a year and maybe pick one in a different state maybe, and have a chance to see the country a little bit with my family."
Srubas: “The thought never even entered my mind. However, now I realize that as adaptive golf grows, I see many opportunities for many different things. Outreach, developing new relationships, mentoring, teaching, sharing, working with visually impaired people, working with kids and giving them an example of what is truly possible in adaptive golf. So, when they take the reins, they can take it to new and unimagined levels.”
Walch: “Adaptive golf has progressed by leaps and bounds since I began this journey in 1981 when I played in my first adaptive golf tournament at the NAGA Nationals in Las Vegas. I think the most important change over the years has been the increased awareness of adaptive golf. It’s that growing awareness that has increased the amount of tournaments and players there are today. I never dreamed I’d be a part of such a movement let alone participate in a tournament where I’m helping represent our country in an international event. It is truly an honor to take part in this event.”
Greg Hooper
You’ve played in the Cairns Cup before as a player, what were those experiences like?
Hooper: “There’s nothing like representing the United States and wearing the red, white and blue knowing that you're fighting for something that you can bring home and be proud. The chants of USA, USA in the background and your teammates standing around the green while you're trying to make a putt to win. Those kind of things are some of the most enlightening parts of my golf game that I've ever experienced.”
What do you think it will be like being a non-playing captain this time around?
Hooper: “I'm looking very forward to being able to do this for the Cairns Cup. It puts a little pressure on me to make sure that the pairings are right. I've got a vice captain in Brandon Williams, who I trust 1000%. We're going to be designing something here that's going to work. I’ve been a captain at two Vision Cups, which is the same as the Cairns Cup, but with the International Blind Golf Association. We have a North America team and a Rest of the World team. It really is different being the captain. When you play, you have the pressure of what’s going on in the event and doing well for your partner. There’s a ton of behind-the-scenes stuff for a captain, but a major job is to make sure the little things are taken care of so all the players have to do is swing the club.”
With your experience in this event as a player, what will your message to the team be, especially to those playing for the first time?
Hooper: “My message to all of them is to slow down and enjoy every single second of what's about to happen. It is so involved emotionally when you're playing to represent your country. So just slow down and enjoy every single moment of what's about to happen over the next week. Try to record it not only in their brains, but to record it visually by taking pictures and souvenir wise pick up a few of the things around just to remind you of what's going on. I have little tidbits from every tournament, and when you pick it up those memories come rushing back. There’s nothing like it. It’s very, very emotional.”
What are you most looking forward to about the Cairns Cup this year?
Hooper: “Hearing that national anthem for the first time in a long in two years, to be honest with you in a country that we've never been to before. It’s one of those experiences I'm looking forward to from that side of it. And also just to make sure that the players themselves have a good time and try to cure all any issues that may come up, or if one comes up, then knock it out and don't worry about it anymore. We're so respectful of the European team because they're all great players. The contest itself is something that I've always enjoyed and the competition side of adaptive golf. as we call it. I'm looking forward to it.”
Obviously a successful week would include a win, but outside of winning, what would a successful week in Spain look like for you?
Hooper: “I just want every player to play to their ability, not to go over and have. Um, an experience which is negative, you know. Yes, there's going to be some losses. that's just a given in this sport. Um, there's nothing you can do about it and tough breaks and things like that will cause some of it. But you don't want the players going away. Saying it was my fault if we lost. And it is nobody that's at fault anytime during one of these contests. We're just, we're all winners, if you want to just call it that, we're all winners no matter what. We all went, we all competed, and the outcome, if it goes our way, is going to be glorious. It really is. I mean, there's, that celebration is nothing like it. But I've also been on the other side. I've been on the side where you watch the other team celebrate and you, and you go back to the hotel that night and, you know, I, I, just want them to all, feel that it's not their fault. We did the best we could, and we just got beat, and uh, and that's what happens, great. But if it goes the other way and goes our way. Um, then, yes, there'll be some celebrating court. I won't lie to you.”
