Bocce On! – Yountville - Remembering a friend, returning to courts

This bocce recap begins with sad news. After playing bocce on Wednesday, May 6, our fellow club member and friend Guy Morgan, passed away peacefully in his sleep. Guy and his wife Cindy joined the Yountville Bocce Club last year and earned the “Rookie of the Year” award for Wednesday night at season’s end.

Guy will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and enjoyed his friendship, laughter and time together on the bocce courts.

As predicted in last week’s column, Monday night’s matches on May 4 were cancelled due to rain.

By Wednesday the weather had returned to perfection and 14 teams took to the courts. Sherry and Joel Breitigam, Bob Gates and Guido Muratori all posted perfect games. Lisa and Robbie Whitham were just one point shy with 23. Robbie also rolled two bellringers, while Guido Muratori, Sherry Breitigam, and Marilyn Cordone each added one.

Thursday night featured 10 teams. Kim Richard and Adrian Calderon swept all three of their matches. Dana Dellascio and Fred Espinoza, along with Jay and Leslie Ryder, narrowly missed perfection with 23 points. Bellringers were recorded by Mark Fogelman, Adrian Calderon, Tom Nelson, Dana Dellascio, and Ernie Cabral.

Week 5 brought all three nights back into action.

Monday night drew a strong turnout, with 15 teams competing. Charles Burke and Nancy Caldwell opened their evening by rolling two consecutive bellringers and went on to win all three matches. Jim Cherniss and Mike Murrell also finished undefeated. Mario and Barbara Pirondini followed closely with 23 points, while “Pad” Padmesh and Pat Orr teamed up for 22 points each. Additional bellringers came from Sandy Fagan, Mike Murrell and Nadine Monroe.

Wednesday evening began with a remembrance of Guy Morgan, who passed away the week before. Marianne Lyon shared original poetry, and Court Manager Joel Breitigam rang the bell in a traditional bocce ceremony honoring two players deeply missed by the club: Guy Morgan and Marty Cardone. Sherry Breitigam reflected that gathering with friends brought comfort and healing to everyone.

With 14 teams in attendance, games were shortened to 6 points each. Paula and John Simi, Karen and Steve Zanetell, Marco Wright and Steve Rogers, and Kathy Phillips and Marilyn Cardone all swept their matches. Don Olvarado and Carol Shirmang missed only one point all evening, finishing with 17 points. Bellringers were rolled by Don Olvarado, Marco Wright, Robbie Whitham, Guido Muratori and Sherry Breitigam.

Thursday night welcomed 12 teams. Jeff/Don and Chris Hartung, Dana Dellascio and Fred Espinoza, and Gregg and Robin Beach each earned three-match sweeps. Bellringers came from Jim Conley, Gregg Beach, Mark Fogelman, Fred Espinoza, and Jeff/Don Hartung.