(Story by Paola Brush)
Friendly Competition at the IABC-STL
The 15th Annual Aldo Della Croce Tournament was held at the Italia America Bocce Club, St. Louis, November 4-6, 2022. This Tournament was initiated to promote the sport of bocce while incorporating friendly competition among various Bocce Clubs and honoring the first President of the IABC, Aldo Della Croce. Through this Tournament, the IABC is able to further its mission by supporting free youth bocce, at the Grade School and High School levels, free access for individuals with differing abilities through Special School District, and providing a recreational activity for those in Senior Living. A competitive scholarship was implemented in 2017, whereby applicants, children or grandchildren of a member in good standing enrolled in 8th grade, write a self statement in regards to how they demonstrate leadership and teamwork. These two traits were instrumental in the initial formation of the Club and still continues to this day.
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Giampiero Division – 1st Place: Lio Giannotti, Robert Bertoncini, Maurizio Perrelli & Anthony LaBarbera from Highwood, Illinois
It was an exciting weekend of bocce playing, eating, drinking, and visiting the area businesses located “on The Hill”. There were 27 total teams of all men or mixed (men and women), divided into 5 brackets, through a blind draw, in the Giampiero Division. There were 15 teams comprised of all women divided into 3 brackets, through a blind draw, in the Laura Division. The top 2 teams from each bracket advanced to play in the single elimination round on Sunday.
To view the list of all finishers, visit www.stlbocce.com and click on Newsletter-IL GIORNALE (November). The Tournament would not be successful without the many participants, sponsors, volunteers, workers, and the Tournament Director, Robert Della Croce.
SAVE THE DATE: The 16th Annual Aldo Della Croce Bocce Tournament: November 3-5, 2023. Hope to see many familiar faces and some new faces next year!!!