At the beginning of a game of Bocce, a player tosses a small ball called a pallino into the court. The goal is to land larger balls as close to the pallino as possible. Pictured here, Le Phare des Alpes member Spence Borden prepares to roll a ball into the court.
Le Phare des Alpes member Dennis Barus tosses a ball into the Bocce court on Wednesday morning.
MICA BANKS photos / THE PAPER
If he had to venture a guess, Barry Remington estimated the average bocce player to be 60 and older — the game, though, with roots reaching back centuries with Valdese’s Waldensian colonists, can be played by anyone of any age.
But only skilled players who qualify can compete in the annual State Bocce Tournament in Valdese.
Next Saturday, spectators will have a chance to watch bocce champions from across the state play in the tournament.
At the beginning of a game of Bocce, a player tosses a small ball called a pallino into the court. The goal is to land larger balls as close to the pallino as possible. Pictured here, Le Phare des Alpes member Spence Borden prepares to roll a ball into the court.
MICA BANKS / THE PAPER
Remington, a member of Le Phare des Alpes in Valdese, took a break from tidying the courts for the upcoming tournament one morning to discuss the event.
There are no changes to the event this year, Remington said. The tournament can still host up to 20 teams, still takes place at the Le Phare des Alpes bocce court, and is still free to attend.
But for the second year in a row, the tournament is invitational rather than strictly regional. Remington said due to declining participation, teams outside Western North Carolina can now sign up to play. At the time of the conversation, Remington said several teams out of Raleigh will participate this year.
Remington estimated that by the end of the sign-up period, 14 to 16 teams will likely play in the 2025 state tournament.
The state tournament is a smaller event than the bocce tournament held in early August during Valdese’s annual Waldensian festival, Remington said. Part of the reason is that the state tournament requires qualification to enter.
The state tournament will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Le Phare des Alpes (LPDA), at 301 Laurel St. S in Valdese. The game begins at 8 a.m., and anyone can come watch.
Mica Banks is the County Government reporter for The Paper. She can be reached at 828-445-8595 or mica@thepaper.media.
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