(Press Release from Highwood Bocce Club President, Tom Holleman)
The Highwood Bocce Club is proud to be hosting the USBF National Championships for the fourth time. Our board, players, membership, and city are all looking forward to welcoming our country’s best bocce players and providing them all with a wonderful tournament and experience. Save the dates for the week of June 19-23, 2023.
Planning and preparation has begun and we look forward to building on the success of previous Nationals.
We believe Highwood’s central location and established reputation will attract high participation from all our USBF member Clubs, and we hope to enlist some new Clubs to participate from previously under-represented regions/areas. This paired with an incredibly enthusiastic and talented group of players from Highwood, we believe our overall participation will be greater than ever.
With the new requirement of match time limits, we believe keeping tournament schedules predictable and reasonable for our participants and spectators is an achievable goal this year and are committed to it. We also anticipate being able to provide enhanced online reporting and updates on tournament and match status to individuals following from afar or even participants on site.
Predictable schedules paired with record interest does mean we will have to establish some limits on team entry by Club or region to ensure balanced representation across the country. This will not materially affect most Clubs, and will likely have the most impact to our own Highwood/Chicago teams. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through the details of this implementation. Obviously as more details are available we will keep everyone updated.
The 8th Annual Tom Gialde Memorial Bocce Tournament benefiting Boy Scouts of America Troop 80 was held at the American Sons of Columbus on August 12-14, 2022 in Kansas City, MO. The tournament field included 24 Men’s and Women’s teams boasting players from Columbia (MO), St. Louis, Herrin (IL), Murphysboro (IL) and Dallas (TX). The tournament format began with round-robin play followed by a double-elimination knockout round. On Friday evening, players competed in a “Closest to the Pallino” contest where they had to roll their ball closest to the pallino located on the red dot, without touching. Kansas City player Chris Cardello won the event with a distance of ¼ inch.
On Saturday, players were treated to a KC Style BBQ Dinner after round robin play. Tournament Director John Liberto presented Troop 80 Scout Master Sam Valenti with a donation to assist with essential Troop functions. All scouts in Troop 80 live under the poverty line, and the American Sons of Columbus proudly supports Sam’s mission to provide a high-quality experience to the youth he serves. Contributions from the Gialde bocce tournaments to Troop 80 nears $20,000. On Sunday, play resumed with the knockout round.
The winners of the Ladies division were Team Playmates from St. Louis: Paola Della Croce, Susan Zona, Julie Belfi-Sanna, Gayle Morris
The winners of the Men’s Division were Team Volorama from St. Louis: Rich Robertson, John Denando, Joe Grippi, David R. Zona
Thank you to the players and sponsors that make this tournament successful. We look forward to seeing you at the 9th Annual Tom Gialde Memorial Bocce Tournament in Kansas City, MO on August 11-13, 2023!
Approximately 20 competitors from the USFB Western Sector traveled to the Boston area to participate in the 2022 National Tournament held in Methuen’s excellent Sons of Italy Bocce facility. Under normal conditions we would post award winners’ pictures from the post tournament banquet. However this was the year of Covid, with several players testing positive on final day of competition and missing banquet. It was disappointing to miss the banquet for many reasons but most importantly to say goodbye to our gracious host and to all our friends, we hope to see next year in Chicago.
The Western Sector medal winners sponsored by Campo di Bocce in Los Gatos, CA.
From left to right: Ken Gorny, Bronze in PRV Doubles, Gold in Open, Giovanni Napoli, Gold in Open, Bronze in Mixed Doubles, and Bronze in PRV Doubles. Alan Knox, Gold in Open and Gold in PRV Doubles. Paolo Pro, Gold in Open, Gold in Mixed Doubles and Gold in PRV. Joanne Lopez, Bronze in Mixed PRV Doubles and Bronze in PRV Singles. Giovanni Napoli, see above. Above: Alan Knox and Paolo Pro. Little did we know, the men’s PRV Doubles was a qualifying event for the Pan American Games in Uruguay, this November. Our partners in the tournament are Gordon Gruenes and Jorge Moreno. Also qualifying but unable to attend is Danko Dykyi. All three players are from the Highwood Bocce Club in Chicago area. Not sponsored by Campo di Bocce, but also representing the Western Sector: Emi Fuji, Gold Medal Precision Shooting; Margaret Shindelus, Bronze Medal Women’s Singles PRV.
Additional Western Sector players making the trip include: Cynthia Dzendzel, Ursula Hansen, Collen Randazzo, Lisa Watson, Tony Randazzo, Jean Godin, Michael Mathis, Dario Bernardi, and Natalina Bernardi.
Campo di Bocce, established 1997, and famous for hosting National Tournaments, multiple annual charity events, and the infamous Madden/Mariucci Charity Tournament (now Coach Mooch Bocce Tournament), has stepped way forward, beyond expectations, and covered the travel cost of all four members of this year’s USA Pan American team that played this past November in Uruguay.
The USBF was able to cover room, board and nice uniforms that fit. No tailor visits. Paolo Pro and Alan Knox are members of Campo di Bocce and sponsored by Campo at this past summer’s USBF Nationals. However, Jorge Moreno and Gordon Gruenes are from the Chicago area. Gordon is a member of Highwood Bocce Club. A really nice gesture for a bocce business to cover nonmember’s travel costs.
The team is especially grateful for the advocacy and support of Ben Musolf, Campo di Bocce’s C.O.O. Without Ben, we would be selling candy bars door-to-door. Thanks Ben, from all of us and our wives, the accountants.
(Story by Joe Quartarone. Most photos on the results page are by Jan Abate and Joe Quartarone)
Methuen Sons of Italy Lodge, Methuen, MA
In June 2022, the Methuen Sons of Italy hosted its 3rd US Nationals in the last 8 years. This was an extra exciting event since the USBF qualified players for both the 2022 World Championships and the 2022 Men’s Pan Am Championships which were held in the fall. Although those are Punto Raffa Volo tournaments, female and male athletes also competed in 2 USBF “Open” Bocce events, 2 shooting competitions and the Methuen “Open” Bocce Money Tournament.
Overall, there were 8 events over 7 days, starting at 8:00 am and some nights games were played until approximately midnight. That’s lots of bocce for both the casual and advanced players.
Methuen has always run a successful “Open B” event because of the huge number “Open” Bocce players across New England and New York. This year was truly a national event with players attending from the Greater San Francisco and Los Angeles areas, several cities in the Midwest (KC, STL, CHI, DET) and from places along the East Coast, including Miami, Key West, Virginia, Upstate New York, NYC metro and New England. This was the first time competing in the US Bocce Nationals for 1/3 of all players. California, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Florida are their home states, however the majority of them are from New England and New York.
USBF President, Danny Passaglia, at 2022 Nationals Awards Dinner
Amy Lazzeretti won the Women’s Singles Gold and also won Gold in the Mixed Doubles with Miles Russell. They qualified for the World Championships in those two categories. Both are younger players from the Highwood Bocce Club who dedicated themselves to training there the past few years! Paolo Pro and Alan Knox, playing for Campo di Bocce, won Gold in Men’s Doubles and Highwood Bocce Club partners Gordon Gruenes and Danko Dykyj, took Sliver. Together, the 4 guys earned the spot to proudly represent the USA at the Pan Am Men’s Championships. USBF Medalists hail from Florida and Ohio (1 each), New York (2), Missouri (4), Massachusetts (15), Illinois (15) and California (18). Bocce Assassins from Massachusetts finished in First Place in the Methuen Money Tournament and the 3 other teams rounding out the Final Four are from California, Rhode Island and Illinois.
Representing both the Methuen Sons of Italy and the US Bocce Federation, we want to extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in our week-long event, including the veteran players, new members to the Nationals, sponsors and volunteers. Without all the players, the Nationals would not exist. Your dedication to league play and training in your local cities, as well as your desire to compete at the highest level in Open Bocce and Punto Raffa Volo, gives us the reason to gather for this special yearly event. Thank you for your demonstration of good sportsmanship and respecting the referees the whole week. Your willingness to spend the money to travel and time away from your families is recognized by the USBF Board of Directors and members of the Methuen Sons of Italy.
Bada Bling: Sally, Phyllis, Mary Jo, Michelle
We, the Methuen Sons of Italy, love hosting all the players and try our best to offer you a fun, friendly and clean environment, serving you hearty New England and Italian foods with big smiles and warm hospitality. Additionally, “thank you” to our sponsors because with your donations, we can serve the seniors, the youth and other causes in our community. Our sponsors include those who purchased banners that hang from the ceiling. This effort was successfully headed up by Pio. Sponsors also contributed to our event program or provided in-kind sponsorship. We appreciate those who submitted memorials for loved ones, and others such as Barbara DeLucca, Don from Borrelli’s Deli, Da Vinci Bocce, Jerry South, Mayor Neil Perry, Tuscan Kitchen, Mann Orchard, Joy of Bocce, Salem Co-op, FBN Construction, Italia America Bocce Club, Kiwanis of Everett, Joseph Beninato, The Bernardis, Bay Colony Wine Cellars and Global Bocce.
Thank you to all who volunteered in helping to plan and execute the event. This includes our Kitchen Committee and Bocce Committee members who were tremendous as you stuffed the swag bags, prepared and served food, cleaned, made baskets, organized Bunco, collected sponsorships, sold raffle tickets and helped with the bocce tournaments. Marge, our guests love your personality. Thank you for taking care of everyone at the bar.
Gina and Marge
The kitchen committee, bocce committee and facility volunteers are: Armand Buonanno, Gina Neve, Pio Frittitta, Eileen and Larry Giordano, Don Smeriglio, Bobby, Charlie and Billy Bonanno, Carmela Pagoni, Mary Early, Maureen and Jim Famolare, Linda Fay, Pauline Trembly, Michael Schroth, Ron and Carol Demers, Lisa Labadini, Merle Weber, Laurie O’Donnell, Jerry and Terry Smith and Janice Abate (Photograper)
At the Opening Ceremonies: Denise Furnari, MA Sons of Italy Grand Lodge President and Armand Buonanno, Methuen SOI Lodge 902 PresidentPio serving lunch with brothers Charlie, Bobby and Billy
Those who helped with Bocce Operations and Referring were: Danny Passaglia, Vince Tersigni, Brad Thayer, Lenny Christopher, Ron Demers, George Plouffe, Josephine Napoli, Natalina Bernardi and all who stepped in to ref games when they were not playing.
Thank you also to our partners Atkinson Graphics who produced our apparel, Allegra Printing for our beautiful program and Esco Awards for engraving our medals. Additional, we appreciate the media coverage from Channel 7, WBZ Radio and The Eagle Tribune.
The Methuen Sons of Italy is excited to host the US Bocce Nationals again in the near future.
There are more photos from the 2022 Nationals to share with you. Stay tuned for them on Facebook and the USBF website.
It’s time to congratulate Peter Rabito, President of American Bocce Club (NY) and Vince Tersigni, a committee leader at the Methuen Sons of Italy (MA). Peter has been involved with bocce for nearly 2 decades, including working with the Special Olympics and adult bocce leagues, overseeing the bocce courts design and construction in his city park and helping other clubs get up and running in the area. He was previously the president of the Eastern Sector.
This will be Vince’s first term. Vince joined the Sons of Italy in 2016 and has taken a liking to both Open Bocce and Punto Raffa Volo. He helps organize events and leagues at the lodge and is such a fanatic that he spent several days during his month-long 2022 trip to Italy playing and watching bocce with the locals. Vince and I have trained, practiced and played together as teammates for several years now and after he passed the PRV referee test, he joined us in Highwood to help referee the 2019 Women’s Pan Am Championship.
2022 has started off with a bang! Bocce tournaments are being held all across the USA from Florida to California. I would like to thank everyone for their support and welcome all the new members and Clubs.
Our National event has returned to its usual month and will be held again at the Methuen Sons of Italy Club near Boston, MA. Currently, the World Championship is scheduled for early November in Turkey. The USBF follows the format set by CBI and this year there are several modalities we will be qualifying players for. It is very important for our federation to have a great turnout and send the best players we have to represent not only the USBF but the USA! All the qualifying events are listed on our website as well as all the information you will need to make it an enjoyable week.
There is also an International event taking place at the Palazzo di Bocce in Lake Orion, Michigan this July. It will feature 16 Doubles teams from all over the World. It is an invitation only tournament and this is the second time it will be played. The current champions are from Italy represented by Mirko Savoretti and Emiliano Benedetti. If you are in the area it is a great weekend for spectators.
Other tournaments are being held in Wickliffe and Kettering, Ohio, along with Racine, Wisconsin as well as the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
I personally want to wish everyone a great bocce season full of exciting games and fun. The USBF has been working diligently to improve or eliminate many issues that have plagued us for several years. A very special thank you to Laura, Marsha, Nancy, Joe and Ken for their hard work and sacrifices. Again thanks for the support and I hope to see many of you in Methuen! Stay healthy and safe.
Palazzo di Bocce is hosting a bocce tournament like no other. International Rules, multiple countries and the Best of the Best Bocce athletes in the world!
The event is offering a chance for spectators to see how the game is authentically played. The sport of bocce is special on many fronts; any age can play, low risk of injury, mental exercise entertainment, inexpensive and allows a team of individuals to strive for excellence.
The tournament will take place Thursday, July 21st – Saturday, July 23rd. We are encouraging everyone to bring family and friends, young or old to cheer for Palazzo
players Jason and Jose who will represent Team USA. Jason and Jose have been and will continue practicing intensely because they want to win 1st place for themselves, for Palazzo di Bocce, for Lake Orion, Oakland County and for the USA!
The Washington State Bocce Open returned after a two-year hiatus in Auburn, Washington, taking place in Les Grove Gymnasium with four courts (10 x70 carpeted courts) on Sunday March 20th. Players from Oregon and Washington flocked to tourney to shake off the rust from the summer to participate in a rare indoor tournament.
Team Champions: Scott Henry, Wyatt Henry, Chris Henry, Pat Henry
When all the balls have been rolled, Seattle’s premier bocce family, Team Henry, who can put together at least two teams of experienced players with numerous Open championships, took home the championship again. Team members were Scott Henry, Scott’s son: Wyatt Henry, Scott’s brother: Pat Henry, and finally Pat’s son: Chris Henry. Paesano Bocce Club’s perennial power, I Prescelti, came in second. Team members were Butch Mason, Cody Mason, Mario Pompei, and Doug Burchak. The State of Oregon got two teams in the top three as Pallino or Bust rebounded from their only loss in the semifinals to claim third place, Team members were Brad Cotton, Rick Cervi, Joachim Creten and Eric Jacobson.
Doubles 1st Place: Drew Sternen and Christopher CaligiuriDoubles 2nd Place: Salvatore Cascone and Gerry DipietroTeam 2nd Place: Doug Burchak, Butch Mason, Cody Mason, Mario PompeiTeam 3rd Place: Rick Cervi, Brad Cotton, Joachim Creten, Eric Jacobson
Preceding the Washington Open, a twenty-five doubles teams’ event was held on Saturday March 19th. Rising stars, Rock n Rollers, Christopher Caligiuri and Drew Sternen took home the crown. The runner ups were Auburn’s OG Salvatore Cascone and Gerry DiPietro. Now the NW players will look forward to spring sunshine days to tune their game and prepare for the busy summer 2022 league and tournament schedule.
Due to the incredible popularity of the Las Vegas 3 on 3 National Tournament, more than a couple of bocce clubs around California have found another reason to host a bocce tournament. Not that we need a reason but it’s nice to have an excuse and a goal.
Contra Costa County held their 3 on 3 tournament January 22, 2022, in the Contra Costa County’s Indoor Bocce Club with carpeting and everything. The participating teams are getting ready for LV and having fun doing it!! Teams came from Martinez, Pittsburg, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Benicia, Brentwood, Discovery Bay and some players came from Grass Valley and Napa Valley. Four top teams split a nice pot of prize money.
Teams not in order: Allison Bryan, Giovani Altamura, Victor Delpine, Lisa Watson, Joe Oster, Laura De LaRosa. Split 3rd & 4th.SDJ: Denny Kensil, Jess Quesada, Steve Castellano. Split 1st & 2nd.4 Corners Bocce: Mario Mejic, Danny Mendoza, Mel Juner. Split 1st & 2nd.
(Update) And a great bocce player Denny Kensil wins his last tournament. Sadly, Denny passed 2 months after this picture was taken. Denny played bocce for over 30 +++ years winning many tournaments including the Peppermill and several Contra Costa County Championship Tournaments. He was a member of Jonny B’s for many years and also played for Squandered Talent.
