Bayside Rollers Win Hollywood Cup

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Balls were rolling, laughs were trading, jokes were flying and smiles were everywhere Saturday, Aug. 10 at Veterans Gardens, where local residents showed up to watch and participate in the inaugural Hollwyood Cup Bocce Ball Invitational, hosted by Palisades Bocce Club member Memo Macalpin, who has sought to promote the courts at the Palisades Recreation Center since the local club was founded in the spring of 2021 by community mover and shaker Jimmy Dunne.

Macalpin predicted beforehand “We’ll have a great time!” and boy was he right. His favorite part was when everyone gathered around the flag pole for the national anthem.

“I got goosebumps when everyone in unison started singing together,” admitted Macalpin, who helped the Highwood B Bombers win the Open B gold medal at the 2023 U.S.States Bocce Federation National Championships near Chicago. “When it was over you saw a bunch of folks hugging and crying. It was powerful!”

Twelve teams of at least four players each were divided into two groups, with teams in each group playing each other in a round robin format. The top two teams in each group advanced to a knockout stage.

The Blue Group consisted of BC Palisades, Bayside Rollers, Bocceros, Deboccery, Ocean Bocce Club and Pallino Pinchers. Making up the Orange Group were B&B, Bocce Ball Stars, Crem de La Bocce, Roll Models, Team Flour and Vesuvius.

Games began at 9:40 a.m. right after Meaghan Kennedy and her family kicked off the event as the honorary Pallino rollers. Having to make numerous close calls throughout the day were head official Sean Barnett and fellow referee Robin Meyers, who remained fair but firm.

“Refereeing is tough and takes courage,” Macalpin said. “A huge thank you to Sean and Robyn for your high-level reffing. I love how Sean can measure so fancily and Robyn is so calm and collected.”

Macalpin gave much of the credit for the tournament’s success to the many volunteers. Palisades-Malibu YMCA had a “Hydration and First Aid” station, with an unlimited supply of cold water and sunscreen and a tent where the Paris Olympics was being live streamed. Players could grab a sugar-free Red Bull if they needed energy and there was even  a ball repair service station for teams to maintain their bocce balls. YMCA staffer Isai Elias tended to all of the tournament athletes’ needs and questions.

Event manager Alex Lingois worked his magic, setting up a giant monitor and software tracking the tournament results and schedule, so all teams knew where they stood in the standings at all times.

The title sponsor was “Flour Pizzeria.” Robert Flutie, his daughter Ava and their team not only delivered pizza and refreshments for everyone to eat, but also had a full-blown pizzeria pop-up going on and everyone was thrilled.

“That was a sight to see,” Macalpin said. “Robert is building a trophy cabinet over at Flour Pizza, where this beautiful Hollywood Cup trophy will now be on display for the community to see. Robert Flutie’s, Flour Pizzeria & Cafe will return as title sponsor as long as Robert wants as it’s important to me that we always have a sponsor from the community involved.”

In the end Bayside Rollers emerged as the gold medalists after their spirited victory over Bocce Ball Stars in the championship match. Captained by Carlyn Peterson and led by finals Most Valuable Player Nancy Gillette, who made numerous clutch rolls  along with teammates Diane Tallant and Diane Holt, Bayside Rollers deserved the Cup. Dunne presented them with the trophy.

“Nancy’s contribution to her team’s performance in the championship round sealed it for the Rollers and huge congratulations  to the team,” Macalpin said . “I’m so happy for Nancy. She earned the  MVP Award the hard way.”

Silver Medalists Bocce Ball Stars consisted of captain Cindy Kirven, Gregg Seltzer, Terry Hargrave, Kathy Caldwell, Lili Moghbel and Sharam Moghbel. Coming in third was Crem de La Bocce and making up the bronze medalists’ roster were captain Miriam Braveman, Ellie Lederman, Tom Harsnberger, Rene Harnsberger, Candy Beaver and Peter Braveman.

Macalpin coached Team Flour and although it did not advance to the playoffs, team member Savanah Moss was named the Tournament MVP, drawing oohs and aahs from the spectators for her shotmaking.

“There were so many comments about Savanah and how well she played,” Malcalpin said. “She had fun, was accurate all day and decidedly earned the award.”

What’s next for the Memo Macalpin Bocce Brand? “I’m looking at another LA Parks & Rec venue to hold an intimate singles bocce tourney this fall, plus the minute the Hollywood Cup ended I started planning for the 2025 edition,” Macalpin concluded. “The majority of my energy this fall will be spent in Palisades community advocacy as a volunteer, following in my mom’s foosteps. I’m working very closely along with the board at the YMCA brainstorming to enhance teen programming here in town. It’s an important subject in Pacific Palisades because we have wonderful youth and teens here as part of our community and I believe it’s our responsibility to provide our kids more outlets for gathering, leadership, and fun. I’m going to have a blast tackling this one with YMCA Executive Director Jim Kirtley and YMCA Advisory Board Chairperson Tracey Price and her daughter Audrey. Exciting times are ahead.”