John Terranova, President

The first half of our club’s bocce season was completed on Jan. 7, and divisional winners were honored at our Awards Potluck held at Sisk Park the following Sunday. Colleen Linko, membership director, took charge at the first session event to hand out nearly $1,500 in cash prizes to 42 teams (82 members) who competed in 12 divisions. As always, an incredibly special thank you to Colleen for her efficient, timely, and tireless divisional scheduling of teams for Session 2, so that all teams could begin scheduled games within one week of completion of Session 1 at the Awards Banquet.

Division A proved to be highly competitive once again, with a three-way tie for first place. The teams included the familiar names of Mike Buscaglia and Doc Heckler, Tony and Maria Racano, and Larry Beck and Jane Cambridge, all completing the session with two losses each.

A wonderful time was had by all members attending the potluck where awards were handed out to all teams finishing first, second, and third, within their respective divisions. Congratulations to all teams receiving awards.

The following teams won their respective divisions and, based on their success, will be moving up to face tougher competition in Session 2: Division B: Barbara Bogar and Dan Broome (6-1); Division C: Sherry and Walter Parmon (6-1); Division D: Chuck and Doris Prchal (undefeated 7-0); Division E: (3-way tie) Judy Gentry and Kathy Tomasewski, Cindy and Rod Stalter, and Rob and Karen Vockrodt (5-2); Division F: (tie) Ron Seifert and Karin Cox and Ron and Melissa Hance (6-1); Division G: Jerome and Angie Tuman (6-1); Division H: Mary Rogge and Harley Pansch (6-1); Division I: (tie) Buddy and Theresa Meola and Dan and Toni Halloran (6-1); Division New 1: Mark and Betty Durben (undefeated 7-0); Division New 2: Julia Romanin and Teresa Hermsen (undefeated 7-0); Division New 3: (tie) Gary Stumpges and George Riecken and Susan and Brad Wright (5-2).

The second session of the bocce season kicked off on Jan. 15 and will run through March 19.

Any Sun Lakes resident interested in participating in bocce ball for the 2024-25 season can learn more about our club by going to our club’s website, www.sunlakesbocceclub.com.

If you would like to learn the game of bocce or perhaps pick up a few tips to improve your game, send our Training Committee an email to the attention of our membership director at [email protected].

Thank you, members, for a spectacular first session on the new courts. Non-members, come out and join us but, remember, bocce is a fun game, so have fun; but no matter what, win or lose, hug your competition, hug your partner—it’s the Italian way; it’s the Italian tradition!