Bag pipes won’t be played during opening ceremonies, steak pie won’t be served in the clubhouse restaurant and the competition won’t be televised internationally. But the Uniting Nations Cup--matching amateurs from the United States against a team from Mexico--might be just as culturally significant as those matches between the U.S. and Great Britain that began in 1927.

The Uniting Nations Cup was dreamed up a few years ago to highlight the alliance between the U.S. and Mexico beyond the countries commercial and cultural ties. In just one year, tournament director Vito Berlingeri said the UNC exceeded all expectations.

“We utilized golf as an ambassador,” he said. “What developed was way beyond our expectations. Golf brought the two countries together.”

The countries will come together again May 17-20 at the Mayan Palace golf resort, which sits alongside the tranquil Sea of Cortez in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. The U.S. won last year’s inaugural event, but Mexico’s Rodrigo Del Corral said the results were insignificant compared to the goodwill that was fostered between the neighboring nations.

“Because of the nature of a foursome, golf is a sport where you can develop unique bonds with your competitors,” said Del Corral, who has also represented Mexico in international badminton and volleyball competitions. “The competition was fierce. But after it was over, I exchanged emails and phone numbers with my American competitors so that we could play again sometime.”

But building camaraderie between the bordering countries wasn’t the only objective Berlingeri had in mind when he created the UNC with Andrew Gilchrist, the Mayan Palace’s director of golf. By bringing an international golf event to the seaside resort, Berlingeri and Gilchrist are hoping to bring some much-needed attention to the town of Puerto Peñasco and the golf resort. Located an hour south of the Arizona border, Puerto Peñasco and the Mayan Palace have been rocked by the global economic recession in recent years.

Most of the players and their families will be staying at the Mayan Palace, a luxurious family-friendly beach resort and spa that features a variety of fine dining options, a 300-foot swimming pool, miles of pristine beaches and 80-degree ocean temperatures.

“We wanted to make the Mayan Palace a place that the players and their families keep returning to year after year,” Berlingeri said. “We also wanted to make the tournament a wow factor, so that everyone would like to come back and play year after year.”

Along with 10 professionals and 40 amateurs from each country, last year’s opening ceremonies were attended by several dignitaries, including Guillermo Padres Elias, Governor of Sonora, Mexico and Bob Walkup, Mayor of Tucson.

“You knew it was going to be a special event when you saw a convoy of cars lined up for a quarter mile during the practice rounds,” said Gregg Hayes of Phoenix, who played in last year’s UNC. This year’s competition won’t include professionals, but 48 amateurs from each country will play in the three-day Ryder Cup style tournament, which is organized by the Arizona Golf Assn.

Despite the lackluster economy, the tournament has received generous backing by a number of big name sponsors, including Bose, Zagas, Johnson Controls and the Puerto Peñasco Tourist Board.

The Mayan Palace’s six-year-old Peninsula de Cortez course has landed a few big tournaments, including the Pac-10 women’s championships in 2009. Vidanta Golf, which operates the Peninsula course and four others in Mexico, plans to have the UNC on its calendar every May.

“Our strategic plan is to lift the tournament’s profile in each subsequent year,” said Jesus Torres, director of Vidanta Golf. “We have high hopes that the Uniting Nations Cup tournament will be entrenched in the future as one of the most desirable events in the region.”

John Brambert, an amateur from Phoenix who’ll be playing in his first UNC, isn’t sure what he’s more excited about: representing his country or playing Peninsula de Cortez for the first time. The Nicklaus-designed course’s 7,100-yard, par 72 layout is one of the most challenging and breathtaking in Mexico. In typical Nicklaus fashion, golfers will see the good in seven seaside holes, the bad in sloped greens, uneven fairways and thick rough and the ugly in blind shots, pot bunkers and stiff breezes.

“My friends have just raved about this course,” Brambert said. “You don’t get too many desert courses that are built right on the water. I’m hoping I don’t get too caught up in the scenery, so I can keep my focus on golf.”

Brambert said he is looking forward to getting to know a few of his Mexican competitors, even if he doesn’t speak their language.

“I’ve played in a lot of golf tournaments over the years,” he said. “But never one that has the diversity and uniqueness of the two cultures like the Uniting Nations Cup.”

Brambert said he doesn’t foresee any problems with the language barrier.

“A lot of communication in golf is non-verbal anyway,” he said.

Tony Rubino, who plays out of Avalon, N.J., said he is looking forward to little friendly competition.

“I want to encourage conversation and I’ll definitely be giving high-five to my Mexican competitors for great shots,” he said. “But I’m also a competitive guy. I absolutely want to win.”

Special:
The Mayan Palace resort offers three nights lodging, four days of unlimited golf and all meals for under $400 per person. A two-night package is priced under $300.

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For current tournament information, visit http://unitingnationscup.com

by Dave McKibben