(story by Brad Cotton)
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.
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.
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.