For the first time in the history of Mexican sports, an international golf tournament will take place between Mexico and the United States under a Ryder Cup format at Peninsula de Cortes Golf Course at the Mayan Palace in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico, May 12-15, 2011.

The objective of the Uniting Nations Cup is to promote friendship, commercial and cultural relations between the two countries. “This is a great opportunity for Mexico, the State of Sonora and the tourist destination of Rocky Point to enhance relations through the media in both countries,” said Alejandro Ruiz, general manager of Mayan Palace. “Grupo Vidanta is proud to announce that the Uniting Nations Cup will be played in Rocky Point for the next five years and will grow every year. The spirit of this tournament is focused on the promotion, fraternity, and friendship between these two important neighboring nations with golf as the ambassador.”

Ten Southwest Section PGA professionals will compete against 10 Mexican PGA professionals, along with 40 amateurs selected by the golf organizations of both countries. The professionals with the lowest 54-hole cumulative score will win $10,000.

The event is the brainchild of Andrew Gilchrist, the tournament host and Director of Golf at Peninsula De Cortes Golf Course, and Vito Berlingeri, Marketing Director of the Southwest Section PGA. Mr. Berlingeri said the Uniting Nations Cup will promote goodwill between the two countries. “We are utilizing the game of golf to bring the two countries together and strengthen our relationships,” he said. “The PGA Professionals we have invited are great ambassadors of the game. They will represent the SWSPGA well. And, their playing accomplishments speak for themselves.”

Don Yrene, Director of Golf at The Golf Club Scottsdale and five-time Southwest Section PGA Player of the Year, headlines the list for the SWSPGA. He’ll be joined by Brandon Smith, Head Golf Professional at Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club in Tucson. Smith recently won the 2010 Southwest Section PGA Championship. Others include Mike Wright, the President of the Southwest Section PGA and Director of Instruction at Superstition Springs Golf Club in Mesa, who recently won the 2010 Senior Section Championship; Wade Dunagan, Executive Director, World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship; Greg Avant, Director of Golf at Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler; Ralph West, Partner, Reid/West Golf Academy; Bob Pancratz, Life Member PGA; Blayne Hobbs, Lead Instructor, Reid/West Golf Academy; Chris Dompier, Head Golf Professional, Skyline Country Club; and Travis Long, Golf Professional, Anthem Country Club, Henderson, Nevada.