Meet The Team
Team USA
Team USA is made up of talented and determined blind and visually impaired golfers who embody the true spirit of the game. Each player brings passion, perseverance, and skill to every round—proving that vision is more than what you see. This incredible group will proudly represent the United States at the
Phoenix Cup 2026, competing against top players from around the world. Get to know the athletes driving our mission and inspiring others both on and off the course.
Mark Arnold
Team Captain | Team USA
Mark Arnold, a 69-year-old from Wadsworth, Ohio, has been named Captain for Team USA at the 32nd Phoenix Cup. Arnold, along with Pine Valley Golf Club, the City of Wadsworth, and the State of Ohio, considers it an honor to host the event.
Arnold has played golf since age 10 despite having a degenerative retinal disorder. He was taught the game by his father and once shot his personal best of 3 under par on the front nine at Ridge Top Golf Club in Medina, Ohio with his father at his side. As his vision has declined, his appreciation for the game and his father has grown.
He currently serves as the National Co-Director of American Blind Golf. Since its rebranding in 2010, the organization has raised over $1.5 million for visually impaired individuals and Wounded Warriors. Arnold is particularly proud that their "Memorial" tournament, hosted by Ohio Blind Golf, has raised over $500,000, exemplifying their motto: “Motivate, Inspire & Serve!”
Mark is pictured with his coach and friend Randy Forrer.
Sarah Larson
Vice Captain | Team USA
Introducing 32nd Phoenix Cup Vice Captain Sarah Larson from Wisconsin. Sarah was born with two rare conditions—amniotic band syndrome and a meningocele. She was known in her small town as "the one-handed girl." However, she never let this title define her. Instead, she has embraced life with a powerful, can-do spirit.
In her mid-thirties, Sarah discovered golf and has been making up for lost time ever since. She's not just passionate about the sport, but also about its power to inspire others, regardless of ability. Known in the adaptive sports world as a dedicated cheerleader, Sarah is often seen on the course wearing pink, radiating positivity and encouragement. She has amazing passion for golf and community
Her commitment extends beyond the game itself; she has organized three fundraisers to help new adaptive golfers attend their first events and support other adaptive charities. She is always looking for the next opportunity to make an impact.
When she's not on the course, Sarah is busy with her family, her career, and her education. She is also a key leader in the adaptive golf community, holding positions on numerous boards and committees, including:
USAGA Competition Committee
USAGA Women's Para-Golf Chair
North American One-Armed Golfer Association Board
Mid-Western Amputee Golf Association
Bruce Hooper
Vice Captain | Team USA
Introducing the 32nd Phoenix Cup Vice Captain, Bruce Hooper, and his wife and coach, Judy Hooper, from San Antonio, Texas. The couple has been a blind-golfing team since 2003. They are United States National Blind Golf Champions in both the B3 and B2 categories, and Bruce also won the World Blind Golf Championship in the B2 division in Tokyo, Japan, in 2006.
In 2023 and 2024, they qualified for the United States Golf Association’s Adaptive Open Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Wichita, Kansas.
Bruce worked as a Territory Manager for Spalding Sports Worldwide for 23 years and was named to Spalding’s Master Sales Council in 1985 and 1993. He also served on the PGA’s disability initiative committee for several years and was appointed to the Governor’s Council for the Disabled. Bruce is the co-founder and co-director of American Blind Golf, a national organization that promotes golf for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Before retiring, Judy spent 35 years in education. While teaching, she received the University of Texas Health Science Center Sigma XI award and was named Outstanding Science Teacher for the State of Texas. Both Bruce and Judy served for 14 years on the Board of Directors for the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind.
Jeroen de Wever
Team USA
Introducing USA player, Jeroen "Jerry" de Wever, a native of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Since 2000, he's lived in Medina, Ohio, with his wife and two children. His son, Cayden, shares his passion for golf and assists him as a coach.
Jerry began playing golf a few years before losing a large portion of his sight to Stargardt's disease, at which point his previous sport, field hockey, was no longer an option.
Over the years, he's found it challenging, fun, and an honor to compete with other disabled athletes, giving a new meaning to the term "handicap" in golf. As a stay-at-home dad, he sometimes has the opportunity to play a round with friends. However, he always enjoys a competitive round with the American Blind Golf and the WMGA league. He plays in the latter at his home course of Bunker Hill in Medina, where he continues to work on getting his numbered handicap down toward 10.
