The Second Playing · Palm Desert, Calif. · January 2, 2027
A tradition unlike any other, largely because it has only happened once.
Request a tee timeDays until the Founders turn 41
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Born three days apart in 1986, the Founders celebrate jointly on the golf course, where nobody can make them blow out candles.
The Particulars
| Item | SHANC 2027 | Committee notes |
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Our History
In January 2026, two Palo Alto natives faced the same problem they had faced every year since 1986: their birthdays fall within the same week, and nobody wants to attend two parties.
Their solution was the ’Shufta Hagemann Annual New-year Classic, a golf tournament held in honor of both men at once. It was a success by every measure the Founders chose to keep.
The tournament is sanctioned by no governing body and recognized chiefly by the Founders' mothers. It returns over New Year's week for its second playing, this time in the desert on the Firecliff Course at Desert Willow.
Co-Founder
Yousef Ashufta
Co-Founder
Russ Hagemann
Born
Jan 1
Born
Jan 4
Claim to fame
Born on New Year's Day. Has never once had a birthday party that wasn't also a hangover.
Claim to fame
Three days younger. Will remind you of this.
The Silverware
Accommodations
Plus-Ones Welcome
The Founders are bringing their families, and yours are welcome too. The golf is one day; Palm Desert is all weekend. Arrive December 31, ring in the New Year together, and let the non-golfers enjoy the desert while the rest of us look for our tee shots.
Kids' favorite
Palm Desert's zoo and botanical garden, home to giraffes, cheetahs, and some very relaxed tortoises. Easily a half day.
Shopping & lunch
Palm Desert's palm-lined strip of shops and restaurants, a few minutes from the course. Good for browsing, lunch, and people-watching.
Day trip
A rotating tram up Mount San Jacinto, about half an hour's drive away. It can be snowy at the top in January, so bring a jacket.
Zero effort
Most of the hotels on our list have one. Some family members consider this the main event.
By Order of the Committee
Entry
Three steps. Your spot is held once both the form and your entry fee are in.
Step one
Name, email, phone, handicap (estimates accepted, honesty encouraged), and shirt size.
Open entry formStep three
Once your entry form is in, your name is added to the list below within a day. Please send your entry fee promptly to hold your spot.
See the fieldConfirmed Entrants ·
The Archive
Correspondence
Tee times, pairings, and results. We'll write a few times a year and never sell your address, mostly because no one would buy it.