2026 Cup Update - The Balls

The 2026 Haole Cup teed off yesterday at the Dye Fore Marina-Chavon course at Casa de Campo.

This year’s format is a series of blind draw matches with 7 9-hole matches over 3 rounds with 10 points available per match - 1 point per hole and a 10th point for low net score on the 9. Each Haole also received a dozen personalized balls with 4 balls with a bonus point allocated for each ball that makes it to the 19th hole. While the rule was intended to provide an incentive to keep the ball in play…, and to punish Security for wayward 330 bombs…, the law of unintended consequence kicked in early on day 1.

On the 4th tee, the Needler - who as usual was playing out of turn - topped his drive about 37 yards into las cañas just left of the tee box. Rather than waiting for the rest of his group to tee off, he sprinted off the box like a 6 year chasing a new balloon that just got away…

As he rummaged through the weeds, Sparky teed up. With the Needler flailing away in the weeds trying save his pelota perdido (lost ball for you gringos) just to the left of the ladies’ tee, Sparky launched it high, he launched it deep, spinning right…, going, going gone into the right field bleachers (deep weeds and other shit….). One ball down. One point lost. One new rule proposed, “you can’t go running off the tee box before everyone hits. That bullshit. Fucking Del, wtf…? There should be a rule against that.”

Moments later Needler was all smiles as he threw his now found ball out into the rough where he would play his 3rd shot.

To make matters worse, Sparky, with his blood and legendary Italian temper coming to a boil, proceeded to chop his third into another set of cañas. Two balls down. Two points down.

Naive to the consequences of his selfish behavior, he quickly defended his actions on the green while Sparky sat in the cart ruminating about his quad-x.

So, along with quips about Bonk’s swollen ball, balls dominated the minds of the Haoles on day 1, and it was only first round leader 2SBC who brought home all 4 of his balls.

2SBC sits atop the leaderboard with 17 points (6.5, 6.5 +4), Bonk sits in 2nd with 15.5 points (5, 7.5 +3). Below that the field is crowded with Guillermo currently sitting back waiting to make a charge on Punta Espada on Day 2 and knowing that 40% of the points will be in play on Day 3 at Teeth of the Dog.