BFBH Cup | Boys From Back Home Cup

2026 BFBH Cup

The 2026 Boys From Back Home Cup was the 6h year of the annual golf tradition. It was held for the fourth straight year at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, MI. The cup is a 2-day event, 8 9-hole matches, Ryder Cup style. To continue the tradition, the boys played the practice round the day before at Hidden River Golf and Casting Club.

A big change, that will most likely stay for the remaining cups, was the scramble format for the first round. Everyone is little tired, a little sore from the night before, and it was a good way to ease into the competition.

I said it last year and I'll say it again, every year in cup history, whoever wins the first match has gone on to win the cup. We'll see if it holds true this year.

For the third straight year, the opening match was the same groupings. It was Matt and Chris vs Dylan and Dan. The first hole was a short par 4. Green hit both of their shots in the trash, one long and one short in the woods. Green was able to get up and down and Blue missed their birdies putts. A gift for Green early. The next two holes were Blue's with a par, birdie. Matt and Chris were down 2 after 3 holes; the same as last year. Green responded and won the next hole with a pop, even though they didn't need it. Then on hole 6, Matt made a clutch Eagle putt to tie the match. Hole 7 was a push. Then on hole 8, was the turning point in the match. It was a par 3, both groups had a ball on the green. Green had a 35/40 footer while Blue had a 15/20 footer. Right before the putt, Dylan said, "I've seen Green make these putts before". Chris went first and, unbelievably, made his putt to make birdie. Blue missed their putts and Green took the lead on the hole. Hole 9 ended in a push, giving Green the win for the first match.

The second match was Derek and returning member Travis. They faced off against Craig and RJ. RJ was Blue's 2 and Craig was their 3. Blue was the favorite going into the match. Blue jumped out quick and won the first hole. Unfortunately for Blue, that would be the only hole they would win in the match. Green won holes 4, 5 and 6. Green went on to win the match, 2&1.

In the third match, we actually had a fill-in player for Blue.Cam overslept and missed the opening 2 rounds. Max stayed with us the night before and he was able to fill in last minute. A huge shout out to Max for saving Blue! On the scorecard, it showed the final match of round 1 was Gordon and Curtis vs Evan and Cam. This match started off evenly, 4 of the first 5 holes were pushed. Blue won hole 3 and were ahead until hole 6. Then it was back and forth. Green won, then Blue won, then Green won. Going into the final hole, the match was all square. Green ended with a par and Blue ended up with a bogey, giving Green the win for the third match.

After the first three matches, Green had taken a commanding lead, 3-0. The first round was the same as last year. The difference was Blue remained in high spirits and continued to fight hard in the remaining matches.

🟩🟦 Score Update. After 1 round, Green is up 3 to Blue 0.

The second round of matches was the back 9 at Crooked Tree Golf Club. The gameplay was a new format in 2026. Traditionally we've only played match play games, but this game was best ball stroke play. Since it's stroke play, if both partner have a bad hole on the same hole, it can really hurt the team's overall score (foreshadowing).

The first of the round was Matt and Travis vs Craig and Dan. A lot of pops were given on the back 9. With the help of the pops are good play, Blue was able to go up 3 strokes through the first 3 holes. Matt and Travis fought back and the match managed to come down to the last hole. The match came down to the last putt on the last hole. Craig found himself face-to-face with an easy 3/4 foot putt for net birdie and to win the match (which was recorded). He pushed it right and it lipped out, giving Matt and Travis the tie for the match. Green and Blue both shot a net 40, while individually,Matt shot a 41 and the next closest was Craig at 44.

The next match was Chris and Gordon vs RJ and Cam's fill-in, Max. The match was competitive and closely contested. RJ played some really good, consistent golf, and Max contributed on some holes to help keep Blue ahead. Green had a couple blow up holes, which unfortunately, were the same holes; Chris and Gordon had tripled the same holes, twice in the match. Because of the stroke play format, it felt close, but in reality, Blue maintained the lead the entire match and never lost a hole. Blue won net 39 to Green's 44. RJ individually shot a 43, while Chris shot a 46.

The last match at Crooked Tree was between Derek and Curtis and Dylan and Evan. This was a match of high and lows, there were eagles, birdies, and double bogeys throughout.Derek was able to get a net eagle on hole 3 to give Green a score of 2 under through 3. Blue responded with Evan making birdie on hole 3 and then Dylan making birdie on hole 4 to keep the match close. On the last 3 holes, the match started getting crazy. On hole 7, Green was even while Blue made double to go +2. Then on hole 8, Green made double to also go +2 and Blue made par. Going into hole 9, the match was tied +2 for both teams and each player, besides Dylan was getting 2 pops. The match would come down to a putt off between Derek and Evan. Derek made net par to give Green a +2 but Evan was able to make his last putt for a net birdie and secure the win for Blue.The final score was Blue +1 (37) to Green +2 (38). Individually, Derek shot a 41, Curtis shot a 42, Dylan shot a 41, and Evan shot a 45.

🟩🟦 Score Update. After 2 rounds, Green is up 3.5 to Blue 2.5.

Round 3 was supposed to be best combined score, but there was a change last minute to 1 best ball. This was to keep the pace of play up and increase enjoyment. It did one of those for most players. Round 3 and 4 were played at Bay Harbor Preserve/Links respectfully.

The opening match was between Matt, Derek and Dylan, Cam. This was a wild match. Derek and Cam both got 12 pops, Matt got 1, there were 7 birdies collectively and the match ended 2&1. The match started with Derek making a net birdie on hole 1. That was enough to give Green the lead until hole 4 where Blue took the hole with a net bogey.The match remained tied until hole 7 where Derek made another net birdie. Then on the next hole, Matt made birdie to secure the win 2&1. Matt finished with a net 38 (39), Derek finished with a net 35 (47), Dylan finished with a 43 and Cam finished with a net 44 (56).

The middle match was Gordon and Curtis vs RJ and Craig. Green jumped out to a quick lead after hole 1 with a net par. Then they took another win on hole 3, thanks to Curtis's net birdie. Curtis then wins hole 5 with a net bogey. On hole 6, Green is up 3 with 4 to play. With Blue's back against the wall, Craig puts together a par and wins the hole. Green was up 2 with 3 holes left. Blue needed to win 2 of the 3 holes just to push the match. Holes 7 and 8 ended in a push. Green won 2&1.

The third and final match at the Preserve was Chris, Travis and Dan, Evan. On hole 1, Blue jumped out to a quick 1UP lead, thanks to Evan's net par. Hole 4 was a blow up hole for all 4 guys -- 2 9s and 2 10s. Somehow that hole was pushed. The next hole was a 170 par 3. Travis had a great tee shot (using his driver), he stuck the green and had an easy 2 putt for par. The next hole, Evan had a great approach shot and won the hole with a bogey. On hole 8, Green was 1 down and had to tie or win the hole to extend the match. Again, Evan had a great approach and made par to win the hole and the match. Blue won 2&1.

🟩🟦 Score Update. After 3 rounds, Green is up 5.5 to Blue 3.5.

Round 4 was a game we brought back in place of alt shot -- greensomes. Greensomes is pick the team's best drive, then alt shot from there, also known as, alt shot with select drive, scotch foursomes, modified Pinehurst. It's more forgiving and gives everyone a shot on the tee ball. We played greensomes once in 2021 and I think it will be here to stay for years to come.

Match 1 was between Matt and Curtis against Craig and Cam. This match went down to the last hole and unfortunate circumstances. The match was a fell fought battle, with both teams scoring back and forth. Blue was able to tie the match on hole 8 with a bogey on the long par 3. Then 9 happened. For context, hole 9 is a short par 5 with water in front of the tee and and water in front of the second shot, along with water down the entire right side. If you don't get over, you're dropping and hitting another. From what I can recall, after Blue and Green got over on tee balls. Cam hit the next shot, but he pushed it right into the drink. Craig drops and hits, and doesn't get over the water. Cam drops from the same spot, he hits it in the trash again. Then Craig gets up again, takes a drop and hits in the trash again. Cam drops one more, and hits it back in the water. After hitting 5 balls into the water, Blue conceded the hole and Green won the match.

Match 2 was between Gordon, Travis and Dylan, RJ. Despite Blue being heavily favored in this match, it was a back and forth battle, all but one hole was scored. Blue won the first hole, but then Green won the second. Blue won the next two holes and probably felt good about running away with it. But hole 5 was a push and then Green won hole 6, the hardest HC hole on the Links. Blue got 7 back and then Green won the long par 3, hole 8. Blue was 1 up going into 9. Green still had a change to push the match if they won hole 9. Unfortunately for Green, Blue birdied the hole and won the match, 2UP. Dylan and RJ finished with a 38. Very nice Greensomes gentlemen!

The last match of the day was a rollercoaster and nice comeback by Green -- "keep shoveling". Luckily we got this match on camera.The matchup was Chris and Derek vs Dan and Evan. Blue started hot in this match, winning the first 3 holes, going par, par, birdie. Then Green rebounded on the par 3, hole 4 with their own birdie. Then Green won hole 5 with bogey. On hole 6, the teams had the same score but Blue had a pop, so they took the hole. Blue was up 2 with 3 to play. On hole 7, the match came down to the putting. If Blue wins the hole, the match is over, 3&2, but if Green wins or ties the hole, the match is extended. Derek missed his putt for birdie, then Evan makes his for par. Dan thinks the match is over so he goes to shake hands, but Evan quickly corrects him. Chris cleans it up for par and the match goes to hole 8, but Green is pumped for new life. Blue is dormie with 2 holes left. Hole 8, Green gets up there and hits a ball near the green and puts the pressure on. Blue gets up there and duffs one tee ball and skies the other. Blue doesn't hit on and Green wins the hole with a bogey. Hole 9, Blue is up 1 with a pop. Green tees off first and hits 2 balls in the fairway over the water. Blue gets up and hits 2 balls in the water... Now both teams are lying the same on the other side of the water. Green gets up and hits safely over. Blue hits in the water on the right side. Green hits a safe approach, wins the hole and pushes the match. Although it was a half point, Green felt like they just won a full point. A big boost to end the day.

🟩🟦 Score Update. After day 1 Green is up 2 with a score of 7 to 5. With day 2 having 15 more points, it's still either team's cup. The biggest surprises of day 1 were Craig going winless and Matt not losing a match.

Round 5 & 6 were played at the players course, Arthur Hills. The first match was Matt and Gordon vs Craig and Evan. Craig was looking for his first win and Matt was trying not to get his first loss. Unfortunately for Craig, Matt and Gordon were lights out in the morning round. Matt was 2 over through 8 and Green won 2&1.

Match 2 was a different story for Blue. Green started with 2 great drives on hole 1 and the match seemed promising, but they pushed the hole. Blue won holes 3, 5, and 6 to go dormie. Green was able to win the par 3 but blue finished them off with a win on hole 8. Blue won 3&1.

Match 3 was one of the weirdest match I've been apart of at the cup. It was Chris and Travis vs Dylan and Cam. A hole wasn't won until hole 5. Blue won hole 5 with a par from 2 pops. Then the Blue won hole 7 after a great up and down by Cam. Green played good golf but never won a hole. Blue took the full point 2&1.

🟩🟦 Score Update. After round 5, Blue is one point away with a score of Green 8 to Blue 7.

Round 6 was another best ball matchup. The opening match was Matt and Derek vs RJ and Evan. This was a battle until the last hole. Matt was out of the hole and RJ and Evan were sitting 100 yards away a stroke ahead of Derek. Blue choked and both players made net bogey. Derek had a good approach and pushed the hole. Green hung on and won the match 1UP.

The second match was the featured match. Chris and Curtis vs Dylan and Craig. Like the first match, this one also went down to the last hole. Blue had two bad tee balls and Green finished with two pars, for net birdies. Green won 2UP.

The third match was Gordon and Travis vs Dan and Cam. Green won the first 3 holes. Blue won 2 of the next 4 but it was too late. Green won the match ended 3&2.

🟩🟦 Score Update. After round 6 and winning all best ball matches, Green takes a big lead 11-7. The biggest lead going into the round 2 rounds since 2022.

The opening match was a rematch from 2024 Pinehurst. Matt and Chris vs Dylan and RJ. In 2024, Blue won 1UP. Green jumped out to a quick lead, winning hole 1 with a bogey. Blue tied the match on hole 3 with a nice birdie on the par 3. Then it was all Green. Green won holes 4, 5, 6 and 7 with 4 pars to win the match 4&2. A 4&2 is the largest Pinehurst victory in cup history.

In match 2, Gordon and Derek, have never won together, were up against Dan and Craig. Green was actually getting 2 pops, hole 5 and hole 9. The match was back and forth with Green 1UP after 5 holes.Then Blue won back to back holes on 6,7, followed by a push on the par 3, 8. Going into hole 9, Blue was 1UP, Green needed to win the hole and they were getting a pop. Blue played the hole great, they finished with a birdie while Green had a bogey, net par. Blue won 2UP.

The last round before the singles was Travis, Curtis and Evan, Cam. This was an interesting match, only 2 holes were scored, the lowest score was a bogey and there were only 3 of them (2 on a par 3). On hole 1, Blue took one of those pointed holes with a bogey. The teams pushed 2,3, and 4. On the par 5, hole 5, Blue won another hole, this time with a triple bogey. The teams pushed the next three holes. Blue won 2&1.

🟩🟦 Score update. After 7 rounds, Green is up 12 to Blue 9. Blue won 2 of the 3 Pinehurst matches. The scores are the same as 2025, going into the singles matches. Green needs 1 1/2 points to retain the cup and Blue needs 5 points (of the 6 available) to win the cup.

For the first time in cup history, the opening match was played by the two captains, Matt and Dylan. Historically, they've gone last and frequently, their matches haven't mattered. Matt was getting 1 pop on the back nine, and it came into play for this match. The match started close, tying the first two holes. Then Matt won hole 3 with a par on the par 3. Then the next hole was the pop hole. Hole 4 was a very fast and the pin was middle front of the green. Matt was in the front, greenside bunker and Dylan was off in front of the bunker. Matt chunked his first bunker shot then had a "moment" after hitting his second bunker shot perfectly (but he didn't realize it). Dylan was having a hard time with the speed of the green and ended up 4 putting. They both walked away with doubles, only to realize in the cart that Matt won the hole with a pop. The next hole, Dylan rebounded and won, getting the match back to 1DN. The boys parred the last 4 holes. Matt wins 1UP, even though he stated it should have been a push.

🟩🟦 Score update. Green 13, Blue 9.

The second match was between Chris and RJ. Up to this point, Chris was 3-0-0 against RJ in singles. Green only needed a push to retain the BFBH Cup. Chris won the first hole, followed by RJ. Then Chris went back to 1UP with a birdie on hole 3. Hole 4, RJ had a great recovery hole. He lost his tee ball left, then had a great approach shot and made a long putt to walk away with bogey. Chris had 2 great shots to be up near the green in two on the par 5. Then took 3 putts to make it near the cup and missed the tap in to make bogey and push the hole. RJ then won the next hole to go AS in the match. Then Chris bounced back to win hole 6 to back 1UP. They tied 7, and RJ won hole 8 on the par 3. Going into hole 9, the match was tied. RJ had a left tee ball that barely stayed out of the trees and Chris flushed it to stay just short of the water. RJ then hit his ball in the water and Chris hit short of the green but cleared the water. Chris won the hole and the match 1UP. And with that, the cup stayed with Green for another year!

🟩🟦 Score update. Green 14, Blue 9.

The third match was the rematch of Gordon and Craig. Craig has never lost in singles and Gordon has never won in singlges. Gordon played well in the first half, going 1UP after 4 holes. Then Craig played his most consistent golf of the weekend. Craig won the next 3 holes and pushed hole 8. Craig stayed undefeated and won 2&1.

🟩🟦 Score update. Green 14, Blue 10.

The fourth match was a rematch from 2023, Derek andDan. Up to this point, Derek had never lost in singles, he had 4 wins and 1 tie. Dan had also done well, he only had 1 loss in singles and it was against Derek in 2023. Derek was getting 4 pops on the back 9. Dan jumped out to a big lead, quickly, winning the first 3 holes. Derek was able to get one back on hole 5 but that was it. Dan was able to get his revenge, he won the match 3&1.

🟩🟦 Score update. Green 14, Blue 11.

The fifth match was between Curtis and Evan, a rematch from 2023. Curtis has never won or tied a singles match. This match came down to the end but Evan jumped out to a 2 hole lead after 2. Curtis won the next hole to cut it 1. Then Evan won hole 5. After pushing the next 2 holes, it was hole 8 and Evan was dormie. Curtis didn't quit and he won 8 with a nice par to go 1DN with 1 to play. Evan played better on the last hole, won the hole and the match, 1UP. Evan and Curtis both finished with 4 wins on the weekend. Good playing boys!

🟩🟦 Score update. Green 14, Blue 12.

The sixth and final match was Travis and Cam. Lucky for Travis, the U of M game started at 3:30, so Cam was fully engaged in football and could care less about the match at hand. The match was over before it began. The first hole was a push, then Travis won the second hole, but Cam came back and won hole three with a par. Then it was all Travis. He won the next 4 holes and won the match 4&2.

🟩🟦 Final score update. Green 15, Blue 12.

Green retains the cup and completes the three-peat! The cup was close this year, the differentiator was the best ball matches, Green won 5 of the 6 matches. Matt played great, becoming the first player to win 7 matches and also the first player to go loss-less. Some other highlights include: the practice practice round at Harbor Point was a good time, the hottub was hot again, driving a van up together, the amazing weather, Max filling in last minute, the yellow house, Hidden River, Boyne, everyone winning at least a couple matches, best ball strokeplay, greensomes, the comptetive golf, the vibes, the original group together for the first time. 2026 was a great year!

See you all back in 2027... at Treetops Resort!