Three different tournaments, each with a consolante gave a full weekend of fun on the Lamorinda Petanque Club courts! Thirteen clubs sent players and Fresno topped the list with 10 of theirs on the courts each day!
Under the able direction of club president (and FPUSA VP) Mary Albright with the whole club helping out, Lamorinda showed they have the chops to put on a first class event. We even had a dignitary or two, most notably Jacques de Noray, Deputy French Consul in from San Francisco, who helped present awards.
Hosting their first Nationals on these courts, they didn't drop a stitch, every thing came off flawlessly and after the men's final ended Sunday evening and it was completely dark, they brought a couple of cars onto the terrain to light up the awards ceremony, raffle, and deeply appreciated and table filling apero.
The full-on Apero!
All 22 of their courts were in use, most with tournament matches, the others for practice and pickup games. Under the mid-afternoon sun, all were grateful for the shade from the pear and apple trees remaining from an old fruit orchard.
(the "mixed" see below for names)
The courts are devilishly difficult, but great fun to play, with small undulations and hard and soft spots abounding. Ends were often won with points two feet away, and shooters had to hit "au fer" or several feet in front so the boule could settle down before it contacted its target.
(here are 1st & 2nd Women's winners, apologies for not having photo of 3rd place Teri & Lisa)
Saturday evening's BBQ buffet was a delight with some Texas style beef and chicken served with wonderful beans and plenty of sauce.
It was great to see Louis Toulon, too. He and Max took first in the men's consolante!
(and with Monique Martin in a walking cast, she and Dolly Ebollito took 4th in the Women's !)
In 90 degree heat one looks for shade and finds it on these courts.
RESULTS:
SATURDAY- MIXED DOUBLES- 20 TEAMS
First Place RAYMOND & PIM NIELSEN (Boule d'Or) Second Place PETER MATHIS & HOLLY SAMMONS (VOMPC)
Third Place JOHN AND TISH HARRIS (Oakhurst) Fourth Place BOB CORTRIGHT (PPC) & EMILY ETCHEVERRY (LPM)
SUNDAY- WOMEN'S DOUBLES- 13 TEAMS
First Place ANTONIA CHAVEZ (VOMPC) & PIM NIELSEN (Boule d"or) Second Place NARIN GARRETT & HOLLY SAMMONS (both VOMPC) Third Place TERI SIRICO (PVPC) & LISA VAUGHN (VOMPC) Fourth Place DOLLY EBOLITTO & MONIQUE MARTIN (both LBJ)
MEN'S DOUBLES- 21 TEAMS
First Place RAYMOND NIELSEN (Boule d'Or) & ALAIN GUSELLA (CFdS) Second Place PETER MATHIS (VOMPC) & MICKEY COUGHLIN (Willits Boules Club) Third Place JER THAO & BY VANG (both Fresno Petanque Club) Fourth Place JOE & BOB CORTRIGHT (both PPC)
