Petanque: Les Boules
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Como Members Petanque Tournament Saturday January 25, 2025
First Place: Scott S, Johnny R & Steve N
Second Place: Dana T, Ken R & Sheryl T
Third Place: Phil M, Mike C & (not shown) Jean A
On Saturday Jan. 25th, twenty-four brave souls gathered in the mid-30’s temperature to compete in a Como Members Pétanque Tournament. Participants were assembled by a random draw into teams of three persons each for a total of eight teams to compete in our double elimination tournament. The day, although starting quite chilly, was cloudless and provided full sun to gradually warm the day’s temperature into the mid- 60s.
Competition was stiff, with a number of thrilling shots and plays observed in our friendly games. Team Number 6 (Dana T, Ken R, Sheryl T) worked their way through the Winner’s Bracket and into the finals undefeated. Team 5 (Scott S, Steve N, and Johnny R) lost their first game (which was against Team 6), sending them into the Loser’s Bracket. Nonetheless, Team 5 worked their way to the top of the field in the Loser’s Bracket, and beat Team 2 (Phil M, Mike C, Jean A) to come out the winner of the loser’s bracket, pitting them against Team 6 again for the final ends and the championship. Team 5 won that game, but in our double elimination tournament a team must be defeated twice to lose, and Team 6 had only been defeated once, so another game was necessary to conclude the tournament. Ultimately, Team 5, having come up through the Loser’s Bracket, pulled off a final win to attain First Place in some very thrilling competition.
Many Thanks to all our volunteers and participants, and for the support of Lake Como, for making this another successful and fun competition!
– Chuck
The final Como Members Petanque Tournament was held on Saturday March 2nd.
Despite low grey clouds that often threatened rain, the weather held and the sun even managed to poke through the clouds for a few brief periods. 27 players in 9 teams of three persons each battled for the right to have their names inscribed on the Petanque Plaque in our trophy case. Team Eight (Sheryl T, Joanne B, Kevin B) were undefeated and rose to the top of the Winner’s Bracket, while Team Four (Tom B, Dan R, Dennis M) dropped into the Loser’s Bracket after losing the final game of the Winner’s Bracket, but then valiantly fought their way to the top of the Loser’s Bracket. Team Six (Peggy J, Carol C, Ray A) placed third when they lost to Team Four (Tom M, Dennis M, Dan R). That pitted Team Four (winners of the Loser’s Bracket) against Team Eight (winners of the Winner’s Bracket) in our double elimination tournament. Despite the need to win two games in order to Beat Team Eight twice, Team Four battled to victory in some very exciting play that inched up the scoreboard leapfrogging points one or two at a time often with the lead switching between teams on every throw.
We would like to thank all our competitors, volunteers, and onlookers for making this another successful tournament. Also we want to thank Lake Como’s Maintenance staff for providing tents and tables and the staff of the Office who contributed to the effort.
photos by Tim K.
first place
second place
third place
Members’ Tournament Saturday January 20, 2024.
photos by Tim K.
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
Waking up to one of the coolest mornings thus far this season at 40 degrees, we seriously wondered how many players would actually show up to the January 2024 Como Members Petanque Tournament. Due to the projected cold for the day, in the lead-up to the tournament we had decided to delay the start of the games a few hours and to keep the games a little shorter to accommodate the comfort of the players and the audience. Much to our surprise 24 players braved the chill to compete in the Tournament.
Teams of three players were assembled by a random draw, each team met to select a captain and receive orientation, and the games began a few minutes before 11:00 am. The play was brisk and competition was lively as the eight teams fought through our double elimination tournament. Luckily, the breezes were less than had been projected, the sun was strong, and the day slowly warmed up to 60 degrees. As the day warmed, in one game after another, Team number 5 (Dana T, Kathy R, Johnny R) steadily rose to the top of the Winners’ Bracket. However, as this is a double elimination tournament, their final game was against the winner of the Loser’s Bracket. In the Loser’s Bracket Semifinal, Team number 3 (Mike C, Ray A, Gunnar F) faced off against Team number 4 (Walker S, Mike B, Bob M). Team 4 won the game, placing Team 3 in Third Place, and putting themselves (Team 4) into competition against the winners of the Winning Bracket, Team 5. Team 4 won the game, but since this was the only loss so far for Team 5 (and a team needs to be beaten twice to be out of the competition), Team 4 had to beat Team 5 twice so one final game was in order. At the end of that intense competition Team 4 prevailed and came in First place, and Team 5 placed Second. Congratulations go out to Teams 3, 4 & 5 for placing, and to all our players for making a great effort!
Many thanks to the players and all the volunteers that made this another successful and fun tournament, as well as to Michael K for advertising and emails, to the Como Maintenance Staff for providing a tent and tables, and to the Como Office for their contribution. The next petanque tournament is scheduled for February 17th, 2024 and will be the Members’ Tournament “For the Plaque”.