Bocce On! Yountville 2026 season begins

The 2026 bocce season kicked off in Yountville on Monday, April 13. Unfortunately, a weekend rainstorm left the courts too soaked for play, and Monday’s matches were canceled.

Wednesday’s group had better luck, finding dry, freshly groomed courts thanks to the Yountville Parks & Recreation crew. Fifteen teams gathered, greeting each other with hugs, laughter and plenty of bellringers to open the season. The strong turnout led to games played to 6 points, allowing all teams to complete three matches. Pam Williams and Julie Worthington, along with Susan Weichers and Lisa Whitham, finished with perfect scores. Bel Marshall and Fran Brown trailed by just one point. Bellringers were celebrated by Sherry Breitigam, Robin McKee-Cant, Marita Dorenbecher, Lisa Whitham and Kathy Phillips.

Thursday’s opener brought out 12 teams. Court Manager Jim Conley rolled two bellringers, joined by Dawn Conley, Kim Richard, Fred Espinoza and Dan Brown with one each. While no team had a perfect night, Rob Stout and Rita Simke came close with 23 points.

Week 2 felt like Groundhog Day—Monday was rained out again and Wednesday was also canceled. Thursday finally delivered clear skies and dry courts. Fifteen teams turned out, and games remained capped at 6 points. Fred Espinoza and Dana Dellascio, along with Rick and Robyn Del Zompo, each won all three matches. Jim and Dawn Conley followed closely with 17 points. Bellringers were recorded by Dawn Conley, Kim Richard, Renee Garske and Fred Espinoza.

Week 3 was the big one, with all three nights in action.

Monday saw a strong turnout of 15 teams, along with bocce dogs Teddy and Oliver. Bob Gligorea rolled the first bellringer of the evening in his opening match. Rosella Giuliani, Sharron O’Neill, Lorraine Visovsky, Charles Burke and Carol Thistlewaite added to the bellringer tally. Three-match winners included Jim Cherniss and Mike Murrell, as well as Charles Burke and Nancy Caldwell—a great sign for the season ahead.

Wednesday brought a smaller but competitive group of 10 teams. No team swept all three games, though Marilyn Cardone and Steve Zanetell came close, surrendering just one point in a loss to Marianne and Jim Lyon. Several teams finished with 22 points: Robbie and Lisa Whitham, Guido Muratori and Bob Gates, and Tom Bardessono with Amy Sommer. Marco Wright rolled two bellringers, while Steve Zanetell and Lisa Whitham each added one.

Thursday remained popular with 12 teams competing. Bob and Renee Garske, Ernie Cabral and Inez Brocco, and Robyn and Rick Del Zompo all finished with 24 points. Jeff/Don and Chris Hartung were close behind at 23. Eight bellringers were recorded by Carolyn Brown, Dawn Conley, Robyn and Rick Del Zompo, Dana Dellascio, Fred Espinoza, Inez Brocco, and Evelyn Donoviel—an impressive night.

A special shout-out goes to Wednesday night manager Joel Breitigam for his outstanding updates to the bocce shed, including foundation improvements and a fresh coat of paint. A new perpetual plaque now honors the past 25 season-ending tournament winners, with plenty of room for future champions.

The beautifully updated Yountville Bocce Shed. Nancy Caldwell photo — The beautifully updated Yountville Bocce Shed. *Nancy Caldwell photo*

With a few starts and stops, the 2026 bocce season is in full swing. But as I write this on a Monday afternoon, I see a few sprinkles starting to fall.