Bocce Bash

Hollywood Cup Bocce Ball Invitational Results

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

History was made Saturday at Simon Meadow, where fun was had by all at the second annual Hollywood Cup Bocce Ball Invitational, organized by Palisades Bocce  Club’s own star roller Memo Macalpin, who described the event as “an experience to remember.”   

A color guard unit kicked off the day’s festivities. Right on cue at 9:30 a.m.  The X Factor USA Season 2 finalist Jason Brock sang the national anthem. Then, he dedicated the song Over the Rainbow to Pacific Palisades and not a dry eye was seen in the crowd after his  moving a cappella rendition.      

“I can’t even begin to describe the feel-good sports story of the year for a community on the road to rebuilding and returning to the 90272,” Macalpin said.

Sean Barnett, Chief Tournament of Operations, and his team flawlessly executed the matches while referees Nik Amatulli and Robin Meyers were right on every close call and measure.

This year’s Celebrity Creator team, TikToss Stars, arrived with love and admiration for the spectators and fellow competitors and brought smiles, hugs and community connection to the Meadow. Comprised of Forbes Top 50 Creator and team captain My Nguyen, last year’s tournament MVP Savanah Moss  (and Forbes Top 50 Creator), Drea Okeke  (Two-Time Forbes Top 50 Creator and a 30Under30 recipient), Sandra Kwon and Jessica Woo, the TikToss Stars vowed to return in 2026 to win it all.

International DJ Doug Knoxspun tunes to keep everyone entertained throughout the six-hour tournament while title sponsor Flour Pizzeria’s pop-up provided lunch to keep everyone fed.

Community leaders offering words of encouragement and empowerment were YMCA Board Chairwoman Tracey Price; Senior Director of the Palisades Recreation Center Jasmine Dowlatshahi;  Palisades Bocce Club Founder Jimmy Dunne; and  Jim Kirtley, Executive Director at Lowe Family YMCA (formerly Palisades-Malibu YMCA), who  spoke about the construction of a new community center at Simon Meadow that will include world-class bocce courts. Macalpin wants to train local youth on the courts with the goal of competing at the World Juniors Bocce Championships.   

The crowd then erupted in applause when Kirtley announced that the new courts will be called the Memo Macalpin Bocce Courts. Macalpin is a United States Bocce Federation National Champion, and he ranked in the 2024 World Championships in bocce precision shooting held in Turkey, he is a very active YMCA Board Member.

“Bocce and the Y align in so many ways­—inclusivity, community, well-being and wholesome fun,” Kirtley said. “Community partnerships like this are a big part of what makes the Palisades the Palisades. The Y and Hollywood Cup are the perfect match. Seeing the teams enjoying Simon Meadow, interacting and socializing was awesome. Thanks to Memo, the players and those who support the Y and bocce. We’re already looking forward to the next one!”

Being a community partner to the tournament, the YMCA not only provided the venue but also the first aid station tent and personnel for a second straight year.

Love was in the air from the eremonial first pallino roll and once the bocce action commenced, two pools of six teams competed all morning and into the afternoon in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semifinals.

In the bronze medal match Raffa and Roll became the first team in the tournament’s history to blank its opponent with a 12-0 shutout of Rip Tide. Given the precise placement skills of team members Sebastian Varlotta, Erica Varlotta, Dan Rodarte, Dave Borgeson and Bentleigh Borgeson, Raffa and Roll could challenge for the gold next year.

Momentum swung back and forth in the gold medal round between Bocceros and Roll Models. In the end it was Bocceros coming out on top, led by Tournament MVP and co-captain Lili Moghbel and Finals MVP Fazzy Noori. Rounding out the winning roster were co-captain Chuck Rapoport (recipient of the Dolphin League Martini Award in 2024), Cindy Seiler and Sharam Moghbel.

Roll Models settled for silver on the tactical brilliance of captain George Junger along with Michael Junger, Bonnie Burgess and Julie Christensen.

The other participating teams were defending champion Bayside Rollers, Marina Mavericks, Downey Bocce Club, Slays, Kiss My Bocce, Les Coqs and Pali Partyin’ Pallinos.

Macalpin acknowledged all of the community partners that made the event possible. Flour Pizzeria & Cafe (owned by Palisadian  Robert Flutie); Kismet (owned by  Chrissy Teigen and John Legend); Nuuds (owned by Dary-Ann Denner), which donated $300 gift bags to all of the female players; Lollapalooza merchandiser Madd Merch,, which provided everyone with limited-edition tournament t-shirts; Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce; Divi owners Dani and Jordan Austin, who donated shampoo and conditioner products to all athletes; specialty retailer J.Crew, which supplied clothing for all of the male players; Cassidy Athletics for supplying the mobile bocce courts; and the “anonymous” neighbor who handled event set up, take-down, and event management.

The Hollywood Cup debuted last August at Veterans Gardens and 12 teams battled it out for the inaugural championship. Bayside Rollers captured the gold with a spirited triumph over Bocce Ball Stars in the finals. Dunne presented the foursome of Carlyn Peterson, Nancy Gillette, Diane Tallant and Diane Holt with the trophy. The bronze went to Crem de La Bocce. Macalpin coached Team Flour, which did not advance to the playoffs despite Moss rolling one incredible ball after another on her way to MVP honors.

The tournament will be back in the Palisades on Sept.19, 2026 under a new name, the California Cup, to better align with its brand.

“We’ve loved and tended this land for over a decade knowing generations of families make memories at the YMCA,” Price said. “The Hollywood Cup and its partnership with us is one example of neighbors prevailing in a positive way. I’m grateful to Memo, our YMCA Palisades Board, the Simon and Lowe Families, and every volunteer who makes these events possible.”