Palm Springs, CA – Jan. 14, 2016
Sixteen American footgolfers returned from Argentina as world champions, a remarkable achievement in a sport introduced on U.S. soil just four years ago, and now played on over 450 golf courses in 49 states.
“We are extremely proud of all the players, coach, and support people who journeyed thousands of miles to a foreign land, and returned with the FootGolf World Cup team trophy,” says American FootGolf League founder and Argentina native Roberto Balestrini. “Our team displayed incredible skill and perseverance in the face of outstanding competition from 25 other countries and 230 players. I gave them just one piece of advice before they left – just win, baby (with due respect for Oakland Raiders’ late owner Al Davis).
Team USA represents the American FootGolf League (AFGL), the governing body for FootGolf in the United States. It won the team World Cup in a match play format. The 16 players, coached by Marcelo Landau from Miami FL, include: Kyle Adams, Arturo Barragan, Jorge Barragan Jr., Robert Cohmanschi, Steve Crane, Kenneth Fleck, Jordan Godfrey, Sharif Khatib, Ryan Mahoney, Richard Matteoli, Vicenzo Matteoli, Sean McNamara, Julian Nash, Jorge Vazquez, Christopher Wallace, and Mark Woodward.
The individual World Cup champion is Christian Otero of Argentina, considered the Tiger Woods of world FootGolf. The highest U.S. finisher was Robert Cohmanschi, who along with Jordan Godfrey and Julian Nash were the other Americans to finish in the top 25. American Steve Crane recorded the first hole in one in FootGolf World Cup competition.
“Individually, our guys saw what the world has to offer in top level footgolfers,” says U.S. coach Marcelo Landau. “As a team, the rest of the world saw how the U.S will be tough to beat in years to come. Many team members started playing FootGolf in just the past couple years and play golf also. This helped them play the course using strategies and skills golfers use. It is what makes FootGolf such a fun, unique sport. FootGolf’s future is bright in America, and we look forward to competing and preparing for the next FootGolf World Cup.”
About the American FootGolf League: Established in 2011, the AFGL is the founder and official governing body for the sport of FootGolf in the United States, as sanctioned by the Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG.ORG). With over 450 certified and accredited participating golf facilities, the AFGL is growing this new sport locally as well as promoting it nationally. The AFGL operates the U.S. Pro-Am FootGolf Tour, the U.S. FootGolf National Championship, and represents the United States in the official FootGolf World Cup. The AFGL also publishes “This is FootGolf Magazine” (www.thisisfootgolf.com), provides the only official FootGolf equipment in the U.S., and offers FFANS, the only recognized FootGolf handicap service at www.footgolffans.com. For more about the American FootGolf League, please go here: www.afgl.us.
To contact AFGL Marketing email: marketing@footgolf.net, or call 760-501-0100 ext. 108. Golf facilities considering adding FootGolf can contact Course Support at courses@footgolf.net, or 760-501-0100 ext. 104. For Tournaments and Events, 760-501-0100 ext. 106. Sponsors and advertisers can contact AFGL Marketing at marketing@footgolf.net, or 760-501-0100 ext. 108.
Contact:
Harvey Silverman, AFGL Director of Media Relations and editor of This is FootGolf Magazine. hsilverman@thisisfootgolf.com, 760.501.0100 Ext. 129.
