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The inaugural champions have been crowned

The first-ever
Shankopotamus Cup.

The 2026 World Championship of Couples GolfEight competitors. Eighteen holes. Two globally disputed champions.

Paul & Angela survived Bakker Crossing, the challenge holes and each other to become the inaugural holders of the Shankopotamus Cup.

Inaugural event2026Est. Sioux Falls · South Dakota
WhenSaturday, August 1, 2026
WhereBakker Crossing Golf Course
Tee times12:50 PM · 1:00 PM
Championship stakes$50 per couple · $200 pot

The final and completely unbiased ruling

Your 2026 Cup holders.

★
Inaugural Shankopotamus Cup Champions

Paul & Angela

Fore Play · Disputed Champions of the Entire World

$90
Runners-upMatt & Kami$40
Ladies’ Closest to the PinKamiHole 5 · $20
Men’s Closest to the PinDanHole 17 · $20
Ladies’ Longest DriveAngelaHole 12 · $15
Men’s Longest DriveBruceHole 16 · $15
Guardians of the ShankopotamusBruce & AmyMost strokes. Most scenery. Still together.
The golfing world has been warnedComing in 2027

The Hippo
Will Return.

The inaugural Cup set an extremely questionable standard. In 2027, we come back bigger, better and even more disputed—with more ridiculous challenges, more unnecessary drama and, against all available evidence, hopes of slightly better golf.

More challengesMore dramaSame biased committee
The 2nd Annual Shankopotamus Cup · 2027
A water-lined green at Bakker Crossing Golf Course in Sioux Falls, South DakotaSioux Falls, South Dakota

The battleground

Bakker Crossing Golf Course

An 18-hole, par-71 championship course with water, strategic bunkering and five sets of tees—three miles south of Sioux Falls.

Visit the course ↗
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Event-day outlookGoogle forecast

Check the latest Sioux Falls forecast. Excuses are available immediately. View forecast ↗

Know the battleground

Eighteen chances to blame your partner.

Challenge holeYardages: Silver · Blue · GreenPar 71 · 6,462 · 5,957 · 4,604 yards

The outward nine

Hole 1Par 4
Silver419Blue392Green282

A demanding opener with a slight bend right. Position the drive, then avoid the water short-left of the green.

Hole 2Par 5
Silver521Blue496Green394

A dogleg-left par 5 that often faces the south wind. Water guards the left and a bunker protects the front-right.

Hole 3Par 4
♥ Love Is Blind
Silver412Blue385Green287

A fairway bunker divides the landing area and water guards the left of a back-to-front green. Favor the left side.

Hole 4Par 4
Silver401Blue393Green293

A slight dogleg right where water squeezes the landing area. Short and left is the sensible route.

Hole 5Par 3
Silver181Blue150Green111

Water runs the entire left side and a bunker waits right. Center green is excellent; short is the safest miss.

Hole 6Par 5
◎ Short & Sweet
Silver506Blue479Green385

Water appears on both sides, but the landing area is generous. A large, flatter green makes this a scoring chance.

Hole 7Par 4
Silver360Blue293Green200

Water left and mounds right frame this shorter par 4. Find the fairway and a short iron should remain.

Hole 8Par 3
Silver168Blue136Green89

Water sits right and a second pond lurks long-left. The green is enormous, so aim for its center.

Hole 9Par 4
↗ The Shankopotamus Throw
Silver356Blue336Green235

The shortest par 4 on the front. Lay up safely, or carry the fairway bunker and attack with a wedge.

The inward nine

Hole 10Par 4
🤫 The Silent Treatment
Silver409Blue396Green311

Fairway bunkers frame the tee shot and water guards the left of a deep green. The water tower is the line.

Hole 11Par 3
Silver180Blue165Green117

A forced carry over water with out of bounds right and a bunker left. Middle of the large green is a win.

Hole 12Par 5
Silver538Blue476Green408

The course's longest hole. Hidden water and deep bunkers defend an elevated, sloping green.

Hole 13Par 3
⚭ For Better or Worse
Silver162Blue139Green100

The shortest par 3, usually into the south wind. Clear the water and front bunker for a real birdie chance.

Hole 14Par 4
Silver425Blue386Green306

The toughest back-nine par 4 plays uphill with water left. Favor the right and accept a hard-earned par.

Hole 15Par 4
1 The One-Club Stand
Silver394Blue367Green309

A slight dogleg right with four bunkers and a severely rolling green. The back-right pin is especially rude.

Hole 16Par 5
Silver491Blue471Green370

The final par 5: bunkers frame the fairway, hidden water waits short-right, and out of bounds runs the right side.

Hole 17Par 3
Silver203Blue183Green153

The hardest par 3 stretches over 200 yards from silver. Bunkers and right-side out of bounds make center green ideal.

Hole 18Par 4
∞ Finish Together
Silver336Blue314Green254

A memorable short finisher with water right and a sharply sloped green. A controlled tee shot beats unnecessary heroics.

Course notes and currently listed tee yardages. Confirm the event-day card at check-in. Official hole guide ↗

“Winner takes the glory.
Last place takes the Shankopotamus.”