Bocce Buzz

Palisades Bocce Club President Jimmy Dunne is proud to report on yet another wild week of action is the books on the Veterans Gardens courts at the Palisades Recreation Center. Eight of the 12 teams in the “Bocce Brunch Bunch” Senior League are now moving on to the playoffs after the final round of games on Tuesday.

“Player of the Week” Vito Altieri, famed pedigreed Italian bocce legend, was signing autographs for adoring fans after a 4-pointer to close the deal for his “High Rollers” against the “Patriots.” John and Gretchen Arnold were a husband and wife one-two punch with their deep left-rail mastery.

Jon Tower was the man of the hour in a smashing 10-3 win for “I Sette” which upped its record to 5-1 with a vcitory over the “Bocce Buddies.”  Marty Epstein and Brian Davidson both rolled courageous “Bays” for one of the great emerging franchises, “I Sette.”

“Bocce Aces” pounced on “La Bocce Vita,” as Diane Tallant’s “Bay” set the sizzling tone. Jennifer Gaulke was absolutely stupendous on the deep “Bocce Aces” bench.

“By far the most impressive moment of the day was when all the “Bocce Brunch Bunchers” helped dry to and clean the courts after last week’s rain. Bud Kling stepped up by bringing in three rollers to help the cause.  Everyone’s incredible efforts spoke absolute miles about the hearts and integrity of the people in this amazing bocce family.

In the Thursday night Palisades League, “The Ball Busters” were on fire, giving an old-fashioned whooping to “Mission Imbocceball” 6-0, 6-2. “Player of the Week” honors go to Sherry Berman, who was crazy-great, mixing it up with wondrous short-center rolls and a dazzling deep game.

“Pompeii (with an undefeated record) squeaked out a close one with “Pallino Posse.” Jim Worms and Rob Weber played like champions but weren’t quite enough to handle the relentless rail games and unique stylings of Sara Vornproporn and Jeffrey Spitz.

“We Like to Baci” won a battle versus “Taco Tuesday” thanks to Brooke Temple’s “Kiss” and a super-clutch performance by Diane Elder in the closing moments. Dennis and Evette Richardson were like Russian chess masters with sage bocce moves.

“The Big LeBocce” took down mighty “Pali Dad Bods” in a fan-favorite seesaw match despite the intimidating presence and mastery of Dean Christopher. Carl Steeves and Danielle Lackey crushed it when it counted. Mark Waldrep of the “Rolling Stones” was a rockstar against the formidable “Pado Paesanos” with a game-clinching shot that was the length of the California coastline.