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January 18, 2007
VALLEY, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME BOCCE? Produced by Hal Mattern, The Arizona Republic Contributor: Jane Larson
Forget about college bowl games, marathons and PGA golf tournaments. Another sporting event is headed to town this weekend: Bocce ball.
The newly formed Bocce Arizona is hosting an international tournament Friday through Sunday at St. James Catholic Church, 19640 N. 35th Ave. in Glendale.
The tournament has attracted 42 Italian players, including four mayors and two vice mayors. And they aren't just here for bocce. They are spending 10 days in the state, and when they aren't playing in the tournament they will be promoting trade between Arizona and Italy. They even are bringing along some shoes from an Italian factory to drum up business for Italian products.
One of the event's organizers is Pasquale "Pat" D'Aliesio, known as the "Father of Bocce in Arizona." He was a founder of the Sons of Italy in Phoenix and has served as president of the Arizona American Italian Club Bocce League for several years. He also is a national champion bocce ball player.
For the uninitiated, bocce is similar to lawn bowling and involves throwing a ball as close as possible to the pallino, a small white ball that is thrown first to start the game.
Information: www.boccearizona.net |
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