Bocce On! – Yountville – August 27, 2026 – Heading into the home stretch
August is passing us by, and we only have a few more weeks of the bocce season. Where did the summer go? Make a promise now to show up and show out for the remainder of the season!
Week 16 kicked off on Monday night with all the usual suspects on the courts. Jan Horn and Priscilla Hegner had the standout performance, rolling past Giulio Giuliani and Bruce Orr, Mario and Barbara Pirondini, and Joe and Andrea Holko without surrendering a single point!
Jim Cherniss and Mike Murrell dropped a one-point decision to Karen Cherniss and Cheryl Stanley, then bounced back with wins over Charles Burke and Nancy Caldwell and Jack and Ellen Nelson, finishing with 23 points. Nadine Monroe and Lilette Taylor continued their strong play, posting two victories and a one-point loss to Court Manager Charles and Kathy Ainsworth for another 23-point finish.
Mario Pirondini added his now-familiar two bellringers to the evening. Jan Horn and Priscilla Hegner each chipped in one as well, helping cap off their winning night.
Wednesday brought a terrific turnout, with 12 teams taking the courts. John Dorenbecher and Don Olvarado were perfect on the night, winning all three matches. Paula Simi and Guido Muratori also made quick work of their competition. Close behind were Court Manager Joel and Sherry Breitigam and Julie Worthington and Pam Williams, each collecting 21 points.
And the bells were busy! Court Manager Joel Breitigam celebrated two, while Don Olvarado, Robin McKee-Cant, John Cant, Paula Simi, Pam Williams, Lisa Whitham and Robbie Whitham each added one. That makes nine bellringers in all!
Thursday saw Heather and Evelyn Donoviel score their first three-game sweep. Way to go! Bob and Renee Garske matched that feat with three wins of their own. Dana Dellascio and Fred Espinoza came up just short against Tom and Gayle Nelson but won their other two matches to collect 23 points. Mike Muters and Ernie Cabral surrendered one point to Mark Fogelman and Adrian Calderon, then took their remaining matches to reach 23 points. Dan and Carolyn Brown fell to Heather and Evelyn but won twice more, finishing with 20 points.
Mike Muters and Dan Brown supplied the two bellringers of the evening.
Monday, Aug.17, brought another strong crowd for week 17, with 12 teams competing. Rosella and Giulio Giuliani and Priscilla Hegner and Sharron O’Neill were unstoppable, each posting perfect 24-point scores. Nadine Monroe and Patricia Reis also reached 24 points after edging Mac and Jodi Akin in a squeaker. Charles Burke and Nancy Caldwell picked up two wins for 21 points apiece. Sandy Fagan and Barbara Pirondini added bellringers to the night’s action. In bocce dog news, Mac Akin has begun his quest to be Oliver’s friend.
Wednesday belonged to Bel Marshall and Fran Brown, who both finished with a perfect 24 points. Kathy Phillips and Marilyn Cardone followed with 22. Robin McKee-Cant and Cindy Morgan edged Court Manager Joel and Sherry Breitigam by a single point. The only highlight for Terry Bremer and Keith Thomas came in their opening match, when Keith rang the bell against Kathy and Marilyn. Talk about starting the night with a bang! Kathy Phillips, Lisa Whitham and Joel Breitigam also added bellringers to the evening.
Thursday was a battle from start to finish, with no team managing a three-game sweep. Mark Fogelman and Adrian Calderon came closest, finishing with 23 points apiece. Dan and Carolyn Brown gave up two points to Bob and Renee Garske, then won their other matches to post 22 points. Gregg and Robin Beach and Bob and Renee Garske followed with 21 points each. Heather and Evelyn Donoviel carried their momentum from the previous week and also tallied 21.
The bell was especially busy for Gregg Beach and Mark Fogelman, who each rang it twice. Shea Mixon and Mike Muters joined the celebration with bellringers of their own.
With only a few weeks left, every game counts and there’s still plenty of bocce left to play. Keep showing up, keep cheering each other on, and let’s make the final weeks of the season something to remember!
The year-end tournament and dinner is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26. By now, Yountville Bocce Club members should have received a dinner invitation via email. Back by popular demand, the dinner will be held at the Yountville Community Center and will feature wonderful food, wine and friends. See you there!
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