Community Corner

Watch: Mayor Aguirre Rolls First Ball in 'Corte di Bocce' Tournament

The Columbus Day bocce ball tournament in Red Morton Park is the official kick-off to the Peninsula Italian American Social Club's week of festivities.

The Mayor (Alicia Aguirre), Queen Isabella (aka San Mateo City Councilmemeber Maureen Freschet) and Christopher Columbus (John Buonocore)
were the honored guests Saturday morning the annual Columbus Day bocce ball tournament in Red Morton Park.
Click on the video and photo slideshow above for highlights of Corte di Bocce.

Mayor Aguirre rolled out the first ball at the tournament, which is organized by the members of Corte di Bocce. The Columbus Day tournament also serves as a fundraiser for the Peninsula Social Club Scholarship Foundation. 

A lunch of tri-tip, penne pasta with Italian sausage, salad, cake and beverages was prepared by Corte di Bocce member Giovanni Manchia. 

Gerry Krize, the chairman of this year's event, explained how the tournament is played.

"We have 36 people playing---nine teams with four per team---men and women. They win cash prizes and ribbons and at the end we have a wonderful lunch," said Krize. 

Bocce is traditionally played on natural soil and asphalt courts, like the ones at Red Morton. To start a match, a player rolls a smaller ball, the jack, from one end of the court, then each side is given the opportunity to "bowl" their bocce balls to get as close to the jack as possible. 

Players are permitted to throw the ball in the air using an underarm action, attempting to knock either the jack or another ball away to attain a more favorable position. The team with the closest ball to the jack is the only team that can scores a point. 

The Red Morton Park bocce ball courts have been existence since 1964, according to Manchia. They have been fixed up over the years, and today the covered facility is a popular spot for both novices and bocce ball aficionados. 

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"We always welcome new members to the club," said Romano Zan, Presidente di Corte di Bocce (president of the local club).

"We are here rain or shine Monday through Saturday. From 11:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. the courts are reserved for club members, but others can play before or after that." Zan added.

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Those interested in learning a bit more about bocce ball or the Corte di Bocce club, may contact the Red Morton Community Center at  650-780-7311.

For more information on the Peninsula Italian Social Club's Columbus Day activities, click here.


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