GolfNewsRI

Rhode Island’s own Billy Andrade and Brett Quigley are ready to represent Team USA in the inaugural World Champions Cup starting Thursday at The Concession Golf Club. 

The event is a three team tournament, similar to the Ryder Cup, featuring Team USA, Team Europe and Team International. 

“I think we’re making history. I think this is the start of something huge. I think the Ryder Cup in the ’80s when I was a kid wasn’t a big deal and look where it is today. I just think that this is just going to get bigger and better. When the public, the golfing junkies out there watch this on TV, they’re going to go, man, this is really, really cool. I just think down the road this is going to be a huge, huge event,” said Andrade during the Team USA press conference on Wednesday. 

Andrade is serving as a vice-captain to captain Jim Furyk, but is playing in the event due to Furyk’s back injury. 

“I’m just ecstatic to be the vice captain and be a part of this, to be with these guys. We’ve been friends a long time, so it’s great to be together, to bounce ideas off of each other. Jim called me a few months ago and said my back’s not great, just be ready, be prepared. Last week he texted me and said I can’t go. I’ve known this for a while. And like I said, I’m just honored to be with these guys and looking forward to helping out as much as I can and maybe we can get all our pairings set up and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Andrade added. 

Quigley was named to the team after having a strong season on the Champions Tour, including a victory. 

When asked when the last time he played match play was, he said “The state amateur maybe.” 

Furyk quickly responded that the two played each other in the PGA Tour’s Match Play event. 

Both Andrade and Quigley acknowledged that it has been awhile since they have played in a match play event. 

Team events however, are a different story. 

“I love team golf. We’ve had our CVS charity Classic, the Fred Meyer Challenge, the old J.C. Penney Classic. Had an opportunity to play with great players and win and be successful at it,” said Andrade. 

He continued, “I’m just excited about playing with a partner and getting in the mix and helping each other out. I mean, it’s just — I played team sports my whole life, basketball, baseball. I love the team aspect of it. I’m really excited. I haven’t played much match play, but the way we’re looking at it, we’re playing really stroke play. We’re putting everything out. So it is match play, but it also is stroke as well.” 

The rest of Team USA consists of Steve Stricker, David Toms, Jerry Kelly and Justin Leonard. 

WCC Schedule 

The tournament begins on Thursday, December 7 at 9:30 a.m. with Sixball and then continues at 12:45 p.m. with Scotch Sixsome. 

ESPN picks up coverage at noon time, but the early coverage can be found on ESPN +. 

The tournament continues on Friday, December 8 with Sixball at 9:30 a.m. and Scotch Sixsome at 12:45 p..m. 

Coverage times on ESPN and ESPN+ are the same. 

There is a pro am on Saturday and no coverage.  

Sunday Singles take place on December 10 starting at 9:30 a.m. and continuing at 1 p.m. 

Morning coverage will be on ESPN+, while afternoon coverage shifts to ABC.