Congratulations to The Alliance team for their 1st Place finish in the 2024 US Bocce Nationals in the Open A Tournament. Team Alliance is a combination of players from New York and Michigan. Brad Thayer, from Long Island and a staple of the American Bocce Club and Methuen Sons of Italy, is not a stranger to the US Nationals medals podium, including winning the bronze in the Mixed Doubles PRV event this week. Michael Scialdone of the BBN who worked hard all week and joined this first place team, is from Upstate NY. Rounding out the team are long time exceptional players from Michigan who play at Palazzo di Bocce, Sal Lini and Dr. Joe Masternick.

The I Amuse You team won the silver medal this year. This team is a mixutre of players, too. Miles Russell, who was on the 2022 US Mixed Doubles PRV Champion team and played in the Worlds in Turkey that same year, and Anthony LaBarbera, both play in the Chicago area at Highwood Bocce Club and Mazzini. Anthony had a spectacular performance at the Nationals this year, ending the week winning 2 golds, 2 silvers (including this event) and 1 bronze. Natale Scala, from Up State NY, is another fantastic player who has represented the USA in international events. Hunter Gallero has been on many top placing teams over his career and also finished 2nd this year in the Men’s Singles PRV contest. He’s been a member of the Palazzo di Bocce in Michigan for over 10 years, even working there for a few years.

The 2 Bronze medals are awarded to Volorama is made up of local players to the IABC, the host club in St. Louis, and Highwood 7. All the players from Highwood 7 are members of the Highwood Bocce Club, including Tom Holleman who won the Gold medal in the Precision Raffa Shooting contest and will represent the USA in Turkey at the Worlds later this fall.

Open A / STL Money (Open Bocce Rules), Fri – Sat, 6/28 – 6/29

Gold: The Alliance: Brad Thayer and Michael Scialdone (NY), Sal Lini and Dr. Joe Masternick (MI)

Silver: I Amuse You: Miles Russell and Anthony LaBarbera (IL), Natale Scala (NY), Hunter Gallero (MI)

Bronze: Volorama: Susan and David Zona, Rich Robertson, John Denando (all from MO)

Bronze: Highwood 7: Tom Holleman, Gordon Gruenes, Tim Tolari, Todd Mikell (all from IL)

Tom Holleman, President of the Highwood Bocce Club, can now add Gold Medalist to his list of bocce accomplishments. Holleman won first place today out of a field of 22 who are from New York to California and all across the USA.

With another fascinating display of bocce expertise during the past 5 days, Anthony LaBarbera earned 2nd place in this Raffa Shooing Championship. Rounding out the 2 Bronze Medals are Nick Imo, a spectacular St. Louis player and Todd Mikell from Highwood. Nick has also placed in a top 4 position in 3 other events this week.

Men’s Precision Shooting, Frid 6/28:

Gold: Tom Holleman – Highwood, IL

Silver: Anthony La Barbera – Chicagoland, IL

Bronze: Nick Imo – St. Louis, MO

Bronze: Todd Mikell – Highwood, IL

What a remarkable feat! Between Monday June 24th and today, Friday June 28th, Courtney Strickland won a hat trick of Gold Medals. Today she won the Gold Medal in the 2024 Women’s Precision Raffa Shooting Championship in addition to top place in the Mixed Doubles PRV and Women’s Doubles PRV events. Lauren McDermott, another great player from the Chicago area, took the Silver Medal. Lauren’s friend and teammate in other tournaments, Vanessa Garippo, won Bronze along with Margaret Shindelus. Margaret won 2 other Brozne Medals this week. For 2 decades, she has been a steady player who has won several championships and has played in a World Championship in China and Pan Am events in Brazil and Boston.

Women’s Precision Shooting, Frid 6/28:

Gold: Courtney Strickland – Chicagoland, IL

Silver: Lauren McDermott – Chicagoland, IL

Bronze: Margarett Shindelus – Northern CA

Bronze: Vanessa Garippo – Chicagoland, IL