Matches

2024 Match

Day 1

First tee time was 8:30am at Bay Harbor Golf Club. We had the first tee time on the sheet. We were setting the pace of play. Each day consisted of 4, 9-hole rounds. Each round is a different gameplay.The opening round was the front 9 at Bay Harbor, and the gameplay was 1 Best Ball. Meaning, between the two partners, we write down the low score for each hole. The opening round was Matt and Chris against Dylan and Dan. Going into this featured matchup, Chris had never beaten Dylan (0-1-6 all time). This match was back and forth and eventually came down to the last hole where Dylan and Dan both had eagle putts but Matt closed the door with a 30 foot putt to push on the last hole and hold off Blue to get the first point of the cup. Every year thus far, the winning team of the opening matchup has aligned with the winning team of the cup. Would 2024 outcome be the same?

Match 2 was Gordon and Curtis against newcomer, Blake and last year's mvp, Evan. This match came down to the last hole, Blue was down 2 with 2 to play, but they found a way to win 8 and 9 and push the match.

Match 3 was Derek and Jake against RJ and Craig. Jake is back on Green after starting as an alternate. In a match that started tight, Blue was too much and won holes 5,6,7 to win 3&2.

Round 2 was at the Quarry and the gameplay was 2 best ball. Now this time, both players on the team add their scores to have a combined score. Match 4 was Green's lower handicaps, Matt and Gordon vs Blue's high handicaps, Evan and Dan. Evan and Dan have never won together. After this match, that remained true. Green took 5 of the first 6 holes to win 4&3.

Match 5 was the featured match. It was Chris and Jake vs Dylan and Craig. Chris (+0 net) and Jake (+10 net) score on the right holes and beat Dylan (+7 net) and Craig (+3 net). What makes a match "featured"? Featured matches are recorded.

Match 6 was Derek and Curtis vs RJ and Blake. Derek and Curtis jumped out to a quick lead after the first hole but Blue was too much. RJ starts 2-0 after 2 matches and Blake gets his first win at a BFBH Cup.

After the best ball and 2 best ball matches, Green was up 1 point on Blue. 3.5 to 2.5

Matches 7-12 were played at The Moor Course at Boyne Highlands. The first 3 matches were Alternate format and the last 3 were Scramble.

To start The Moor, Matt and Curtis had their hands full against Craig and Evan. In a surprising upset, Green scored one point on hole 8, but Blue won 2UP.

Match 8 was Chris and Derek against Blake and Dan. This was an exciting match. 8 of 9 holes were scored by a team and Dan almost got a hole-in-one (instead Blue settled for a net hole-in-one). Green was able to hold off a Blue comeback, and secure a point on the last hole to win 2UP.

Match 9 was one of the most dominate performances of the cup. Blue's, Dylan and RJ faced off against Green's Gordon and Jake in alternate shot. Green had an extra stroke on 7 of the hardest holes. Green even insisted 7 strokes were too many. Dylan and RJ were as good as it gets on alternate shot. They shot even par on 6 holes and won 4&3.

Match 10 started the scramble matches. After starting 3 up after 4 holes Matt and Jake had to hold off Craig and Blake's comeback and won 1UP.

In match 11, Chris and RJ were fighting to stay undefeated and Curtis and Dan were fighting for their first win. Green started strong and was 2 up with 3 to play. On par 3, hole 17, Green had hit on the green and Blue just off. After flubbing a putt and thinning a chip, Blue was just off the green hitting their third shot. Meanwhile, Green hit their put to about 8 feet for par. Dan goes first and drains a 30 footer to take par! Then Curtis steps up and drains an 8 footer center cup. What looked like the last hole and a lost point for Blue, ended on a push and going to hole 18. On 18, RJ hit a perfect drive and cut the corner with a look at the green from 170 yards out on a par 5. Green played all of Curtis's shots and ended with a respectable par. Blue won with a nice birdie and took the hole to push the match.

After Day 1, the score was tied 6-6. Chris goes 3-1-0 and RJ goes 3-1-0.

Day 2

Day 2 started at Arthur Hills. The first 9 holes was a one best-ball bramble and the second 9 holes was a two best-ball bramble. It's the longest course at Boyne so Bramble helps teams off the tee.

The opening match, match 13, started the day will excitement. It was Gordon and Curtis against Dylan and Blake. I'll start with this. Dylan was 2 under par and Blue lost the match on the 8th hole, 2&1! There were two holes were a player didn't shoot under par (net par). Holes 1 and 8. Hole 1 was won by a net par for Green. Gordon had a gross birdie on 2, then on 3 Gordon made an eagle from 130 yards out! The guys didn't see it go in, they looked around for a few minutes until someone said "hey, maybe it's in the cup", and it was! The Cup's first gross eagle! Dylan shot birdie and lost the hole. The 4th hole, Blake shot net birdie. On hole 5, Curtis shot net birdie. On hole 6,Dylan chipped in from 30 yards out for birdie. Then while Gren was looking for a ball to play, Dylan putted in for back to back birdies on hole 7. Eventually, Curtis found a ball to play and chipped past the hole 30+ feet but was able to make the comeback par putt for net birdie! They pushed on hole 7. Both teams parred 8 and the match was over. According to the scores, this match alone had 11 net birdies or better. What a performance gentlemen.

Match 14 was a dogfight between Chris, Jake and RJ, Evan to the end. Chris and RJ still haven't lost at this point and they just got done tieing in the previous match. Chris had the driver working early. Hitting 5 or 6 straight fairways but after 4 holes, Blue was up 2-1. Then Green got on track and took a 1UP lead after winning holes 5 and 6. Then the momentum switched on the par 3, 7. Chris hit on the green giving a both players on Green a birdie putt. Both players on Blue missed the green. Chris and Jake were sitting on the green with a huge advantage. RJ has a great up and down from just off the green. Chris and Jake would both go on to 3 putt the hole. Instead of being 2 down with 2 to play (dormie). The match was all square. Then on 8, everyone is getting a stroke except RJ. On the tee at 8, RJ pushed his drive OB. With the door wide open, Chris steps up and does the same thing. Evan then hits a 5 iron off the tee box to get in play and Jake hits a bomb, and keeps Green in it. On to hole 9, the second par 3. Again Green hits on and Blue is just off. And again Blue is able to get up and down and put the pressure on Green team. With the last putt of the match, Chris is able to make the little 3/4 footer to push the match.

Match 15 was Matt and Derek vs Craig and Dan. This match would come down to the last hole. Green jumps to a quick lead on hole 1. Blue eventually ties the match on hole 5. Then it's back and forth, Green then Blue. On the last hole, it's a par 3 with the match all square. Green is able to hit just off the green and Matt nails a 7/8 footer to get up and down for par and Green takes a point 1UP.

After the first 5 rounds, the score is 8.5, Green to 6.5, Blue.

Match 16 was the start of 2 best-ball bramble format. The 2 best-ball bramble ended up having 3 lopsided victories. To start off, it was Jake and Curtis against RJ and Blake. In a bit of a surprise, Green won 5 of the first 6 holes and won the match 4&3. Giving Curtis his second win of the tournament.

The next match was Chris and Gordon against Craig and Dan. Chris and Gordon felt very confident going into this match. Craig had a great 7/8 foot putt on 11 to push the hole. In the end, Green was too consistent and took 4 of the first 6 holes to win 4&3. Chris ended with 2 over par.

Match 18, the last match at The Hills, was between Matt and Derek against Dylan and Evan. This was another not-so-close match. Green scores on one hole but it's Blue who gets the easy win 4&2.Dylan and Evan are 4-0-1 all time together.

Highlights for rounds 5 and 6 at The Hills. Gordon had the first eagle of the cup. Dylan shot -2 under on the front. Green took 4.5 of the 6 points available.

After 6 rounds, the score is now, 10.5, Green to 7.5, Blue. Green jumped to a 3 point lead after the first 18 holes on day 2.

Pinehurst and singles matches at The Heather. Green needs to 3.5 points to win and Blue needs 6 points to retain the cup. No matter what happens on Pinehurst, it's coming down to the singles matches.

Match 19 was an exciting one. Like I said earlier, Dan and Evan have never won together as partners. However in this match, they found themselves up 2 points with 3 to play. I'm not sure what happened next, but Green came alive. Curtis and Jake won 3 straight holes to win the match 1UP on the last hole. A huge point for Green. Green now has 11.5 points. 2.5 points to go.

Match 20 was Gordon, Derek vs Craig, Blake. This one started out with a lot of scoring. It went Blue, Green, Blue, Blue, Green, then 2 holes of AS. Blue finished them off on hole 8, winning 2&1. Blue now has 8.5. 5 points to go.

Match 21, the featured match between Dylan, RJ and Matt, Chris. This is a rematch of last year. Last year, Green was able to win 2 of the last 3 holes to push the match. This match was just as close but with a different outcome. This year, Green was given 4 strokes to account for handicaps. Every holes besides hole 3 and 9 were scored on. The scoring for the first 8 holes went like this: Blue, Green, tie, Blue, Green, Blue, Green, Blue. The two teams just going back and forth. We find ourselves near the green on 9. Chris chips on with about a 30 footer left for Matt to make par. Dylan hits his shot long, giving RJ a chip from behind the green, on a tree root for par. RJ chips and leaves it just off the green in the rough about 15/20 feet from the pin. So now Matt has putt for par and Dylan has a chip for bogey. Green needs to win the hole to push the match. What do you think happens next? You guessed it, Dylan gets up there and hits a perfect chip to drain it for bogey! Matt gives it his best but misses it just right. They push the hole and Blue wins the match.

After 7 rounds, the score is 11.5, Green to 8.5, Blue. Blue won 2 of the 3 points at Pinehurst.

The Singles Matches. The groups stay together and the matchups are Curtis vs Dan, Jake vs Evan, Derek vs Blake, Gordon vs Craig, Chris vs RJ, and Matt vs Dylan. Since this matches were so close in time, we need to talk about them as they finish, so I'll be jumping out of order.

The first match to end was Match 22. Curtis vs Dan. A hard fought victory and Dan gets his first win of the cup, winning 2&1 on hole 17. The other 2 groups were on 15 and 16. Score update. Green: 11.5, Blue: 10.5.

The next match to end was Match 26, Chris vs RJ. This match was about putting. Who could putt less worse. The greens were extremely fast in the afternoon and it hurt both players. In this year's rematch, Chris ended up winning on the same hole as last year, hole 16. Score update. Green: 12.5, Blue: 10.5.

The next match to finish was on 17. Match 24, Derek vs Blake. This was a tough fought match. Every hole had a winner, so no pushes. Derek had a little 3 footer to win the hole and match and he sealed it. Score update. Green: 13.5, Blue: 10.5.

Derek's putt put Green ahead, 13.5 to 10.5. Which meant Green only needed a 0.5 point to win the cup. Which meant we just needed one player to push a match to get the 14 points. Right after Derek's putt, we found out Jake was 1 up on Evan going into the last hole, which meant the worst he could do is push, meaning Green had the 14 they need to win! It was over, Derek's putt sealed the victory for Green in 2024!👏👏🙌🙌

Match 23, Jake vs Evan. This match would come down to the last hole. Jake won the first hole, but found himself down 1 with 3 to play. He went on to win holes 16 and 17. So he was 1 up going into the last hole. After Evan hit in the water, Jake finished him off and won the match 1UP. Score update. Green: 14.5, Blue: 10.5.

Match 25 between Gordon and Craig came down to the last hole for pride. Craig held Gordon off and won his 4th singles match all time, 1UP. Score update. Green: 14.5, Blue: 11.5.

The last match was between Matt and Dylan. Matt made a clutch putt on 17 after a misread by Dylan. The match came down the green on 18. Matt dunked his in the water and Dylan made par. Dylan won 1UP. Score update. Green: 14.5, Blue: 12.5.

Day 2 highlights, Curtis goes 3-0-1, Jake goes 3-1-0, Chris and Craig win their singles matches to stay undefeated in singles, Dylan chips in on 9 to save a 0.5 point, and Derek is the point that seals the win for the Green Team!

2024 Venue

2023 Match

Going into 2023, we were expecting the closest score yet. We kept most scores all year long and we were confident in our golfers handicaps. With that being said, we still didn’t have every scorecard so it wasn’t a perfect system.

2023 also introduces a new gameplay, Pinehurst. Both players tee off, then they play each other’s ball, then play alternate from there. This format was a big hit amongst the players. This will continue to be a format going forward.

A major highlight of the weekend was the stay. Boyne Highlands is the best bang for buck that resort golf has to offer in Michigan. The breakfast, the lodging, the hot tub pool, and of course some of the top golf courses in the state. We enjoyed it so much, we already booked our stay at Boyne for 2024! That’s right, we’re running it back! This time, however, we’re Bay Harbor will be included in the 2024 Cup.

Day 1

2023 started with one best ball matches and an opening ceremony by the starter. With everyone standing on tee one of the hills, Dylan and Cam, Chris and Curtis teed off. Curtis showed up 5 minutes before tee time. With poor opening drives from Green, Dylan and Cam won the opening hole. They never fell behind and took the first point for Blue 4&3. The next two points went to Green after solid play from both teams. Green took a 2-1 lead after the first match.

The second matches were 2 best ball. Hole 13 might be the most breathtaking hole in all of the Highlands. The matches started with Dylan and Craig taking a point for Chris and Derek and giving Derek his only loss of the weekend. Dylan beats Chris again (he’s undefeated against Chris). Matt and Travis play well and beat Cam and Dan. The third match didn’t seem very close. RJ and Evan take an easy point.

After 18 holes and 2 matches, the Cup is tied 3-3.

After a delicious lunch at Seminole Pub, we were off to the next 18 holes. The 3rd match was alternate shot at The Ross. One player on each team teed off on odd numbered holes and the other, even numbered. The Ross is one of the most interesting courses at Boyne. Every hole is a replica of a variety of holes from the famous course designer, Donald Ross. The course has over 100 bunkers. Playing well will be no easy feat.

Matt and Jake kept their match close, but couldn’t get a point to lose to Dylan and Dan. The second match was just bad golf. The green team put four 8s, two 7s and a 5 on the scorecard. Surprisingly, they played until hole 8, losing 3&2. The third match, Green ran away with it, giving Derek another win and Curtis’s first and only win. Green won 4&3.

After 3 matches, Blue led 5-4.

Still at the Ross, the last 9 holes and the last match of the day. The gameplay was the Scramble format. With both players playing from the same spot, teams have the ability to shoot low. Before we get to the first match of the back nine, the second match was lost by Green conceding the match, losing 5&4.The third match was easily won by Green, 3&2. The first match was mostly close to the end. On 13, with an extra stroke, Green took the first point. After Blue took 15 and 16, it came down to the last hole. Blue was up 1 with 1. Blue players teed off and both nearly hit both shots in the pond. Blue’s ball was sitting 1 foot away from the water, with just enough room to swing without falling in. With all 8 other players circling around the ball, Evan took a swing… solid contact... and he stuck the green. An unbelievable shot with all eyes on him. After that shot, there was no chance to take the point for Green. Blue wins 2UP.

After day 1, Blue leads 7-5. Dylan goes 4-0, Chris goes 0-4.

Day 2

Day 2 started at The Moor. Probably the easiest course during the trip, but certainly not the least enjoyed. The front gameplay was Bramble, sometimes called a Shamble. With Green down 2 to start the day, they needed to jump out early to get back in it.

The first match was Matt and Curtis vs Craig and Evan. Surprisingly, this match wasn’t close. Evan stayed hot and his 14 strokes on nine holes was too much to overcome for Green. Blue won 3&2. In the second match, Chris and Derek jumped out to an early lead, 3 up through 3. It was too much for Cam and Dan to recover. Green taking a point, 3&2. Many people didn’t give Jake and Travis a chance in the third match, but they kept it close until the last hole. In the end the #1 and #2 players for Blue, were too much. Blue took another point 1UP.

Not the start Green needed for day two. Now down one more than when the day began, they needed to make up some ground.

The back nine was a two-ball bramble. The first match was Curtis, Chris vs Cam, Evan. The fairytale story continues as Evan seems unbeatable with an extra stroke a hole. Cam and Evan win 2&1 and Blue takes a 4 shot lead. The third match before the second. Green was able to stop the bleeding, winning a very important point, 4&2. The second match of the nine came down to the last hole. It was Matt and Travis vs Dylan and Craig. With every hole giving a point to a team, the match was all square going into the last hole. All four players eventually made it to the green for a putt-off. Dylan putting for eagle, Matt putting for birdie, Travis putting for par, and Craig putting for bogey. With the pressure on, everyone two-putted and the match ended AS.

After the third round, Blue was leading, 10.5-7.5.

The last 18 holes of the 2023 BFBH Cup were played at Boyne Highlands championship course, The Heather. 9 points were still available for the taking. Blue needed 3.5 more points to take the cup and Green needed 6 points to keep the cup. Remember, a tie goes to the previous year’s winner. Green won in 2022, so if it ends 13.5 to 13.5, then they retain the cup. Green needed to win 6 of the remaining points.

The front nine was a new game format, Pinehurst. For the first time all weekend, the players would play against the same players for all 18 holes. The first match was Curtis and Derek vs Evan and Dan. That match went down to the wire. Green won the last hole and pushed the match. The second match was Jake and Travis vs Craig and Cam. Green got the better of Blue and won on the last hole. The third and final match was Blue team captain, Dylan, and RJ vs Green team captain, Matt, and Chris. With all the stakes on the line, this was one of the most competitive matches of the weekend. Down 1 with 1 to play, Matt and Chris won the last hole to push the match.

After the Pinehurst matches, Green gains 1 point on Blue. Blue leads Green 11.5-9.5.

This is it ladies and gentlemen. It came down to the last nine holes. Blue needed 2.5 points and Green needed 4 points to win. The Heather was slowed down by a rowdy group in front of our players and we were pushing daylight. By the end of the cup, the sun was set for at least 30 minutes.

The first match, Derek vs Dan. Derek was on fire all weekend. Dan didn’t stand a chance. Derek won 5&4. Blue 11.5, Green 10.5.

The next match to end was Jake vs Craig. Craig got a stroke against Jake (questionable) and he took advantage of it. Craig won 2&1 on hole 8. Blue 12.5, Green 10.5.

The next match to finish was Chris vs RJ. Surprisingly, this match ended earlier than we all expected. In the end, the bunkers won. Chris won 3&2. Blue 12.5, Green 11.5.

Next to finish was Matt vs Dylan. On hole 13, we were hitting into the sun. After thinking he had a great shot, we found Dylan in the rough without a shot at the green. Dylan ended up losing the hole and losing his composure. Matt would win 13, 14 and 15. After the push on 17, it was over 2&1, Green team. Blue 12.5, Green 12.5.

Two groups played the 18th hole. Curtis vs Evan and Travis vs Cam.

Going into the 18th hole, Evan vs Curtis. Evan was up 1 and he took care of business after Curtis went into the water. Evan won for the 6th time. Blue 13.5, Green 12.5.

It all came down to the final match. Travis vs Cam. Travis is up 1. All Travis needs to do is tie against Cam on the hole and Green wins the cup. The 18th hole is one of the hardest holes on all of Boyne’s property. The second shot is a 180 yard shot over water to a green. Cam tees off with an iron to play it safe. He duffs it right, about 50 yards. Travis’s tee shot is a hook left into the weeds. Cam’s second shot is a duck hook left, down a hill to hole 10. Travis takes a drop and hits it into the water. Takes a drop and hits back into the water. Cam hits on the green. Travis concedes and the match ends in a push. Blue wins the 2023 BFBH cup 14 points to 13 points.

2023 Venue

2022 Match

2022 marked the second year of the BFBH Cup. The 2022 Cup is known as the year of the player expansion. The group size went from 8 to 12 to players. Along with players, the total points went from 14 to 27.

Blue Team and Green Team were lead by returning captains Dylan and Goose. Blue retained the cup, which meant Green needed to capture 14 points to gain control of the cup. A feat that Dylan did not foresee happening.

Day 1

The cup started at arguably the nicest course of the weekend, Stoatin Brae. A major surprise to the first round was Dylan and RJ falling to Matt and Gordon 4&3. Green jumped out to a 2-1 lead after the first 9 holes.

In perhaps the match of the weekend, RJ and Evan found themselves down 4 points with 5 holes to play against Gordon and Derek. In an absolute thriller, down to the wire, RJ and Evan rallied and won 5 straight holes. RJ’s chip in on 18 sealed the victory for Blue. After the first 18 holes, Green lead 4-2.

In round 2, Jake and Derek vs Dylan and Cam ended in a tie, but every hole besides #9 was scored. An exciting match that ended in All-Square.

Winning 5 straight holes is something we hadn't seen in the BFBH Cup, until this day, and it was seen twice. Once with RJ and Evan's come-from-behind victory and the other time was this match with Matt and Curtis winning 5 straight holes against Evan and Dan. After day 1, Green lead 8.5-3.5.

Day 2

Day 2 games included 1 ball bramble, alternate shot, scramble, and singles matches. Green started with a 5 point lead and only 5.5 points needed to steal the cup.

Green team came out on fire, winning 5 of the 6 matches in the first round of play. The match that gave Green the cup was a missed putt on 18. It was the putt heard across the course. Craig missing a 3 foot putt that ended the match in AS and gave Green the 1/2 point needed to seal the victory.

Now just playing for more points, Blue won 2 of the 3 scrambles and 5 of the 6 singles matches.

2022 Venue

2021 Match

2021 marked the first official year of the BFBH Cup. Lead by the blue team captain and commissioner Dylan Wells, and the green team captain Matt Gruesbeck.

In the last beautiful fall days in Northern Michigan, 14 points were available for the taking. In 2 days, 3 rounds of golf were played. Each round was broken into 9 hole matches in a variety of games and competition.

This year started with Dan and Derek playing 9 holes the day before because of a day two time crunch, they tied, starting the score off with 0.5 to 0.5. On the official day 1, the blue team took a commanding lead right out of gate, winning the first 4 games outright and starting with a 4.5-0.5 lead. The blue team continued their dominance on day 1 with 2.5 more points. After day 1, the score was blue team 7, green team 2.

Heading into the final day and the singles matches left to play, the best green team could do was tie. There were 5 points left on the table. The green team scored 2 points on the first 9 holes, making the score 7-4. Heading into the singles matches, green had to win each one outright. This is where the comeback story ends, in the end, the blue team was too much, winning 2 of the last 3 points on the back 9 holes.

The blue team defeated the green team 9 to 5, holding cup for the first year.

2021 Venue