Bastille Day in Sonoma

The Kiwis are just gone and here they go for another party!

But 20 years of petanque is certainly a valid excuse.

Sunday July 13.

<---- Click on the poster for details.

Newcomers in Sonoma

The Newcomers Tournament, with around 140 folks attending, was a tremendous success, we heard. The food, the people, and the atmosphere.
The nice photos are courtesy of Peggy, who came down with a 20-player delegation from Dry Creek!

Needless to say, I love those events, and we can but encourage every club to do something like that once a year. In the beginning of the season preferably, so new adepts have many months to enjoy their new hobby.

Newcomers Tournament - Sonoma - June 22

Click on the poster for more details.
Also on VOMP.org

Sonoma - NW Regionals

Sunday May 4th:
Here's the last, perfect shot by PJ that clinched the final for Peter Mathis, Michael Cooper & PJ Mallette vs Eric Thiebault, Antonia Chavez & Holly Sammons.
Beautiful day, great atmosphere, great games. More pics to follow soon.



For better quality, go to Youtube and click on "watch in high quality".

Sonoma, CA - Newcomer Tournament

Yesterday was the doubles tournament for "newcomers": a club member + a beginner who has followed the weekly training sessions.
On the left, the senior team - Byron (86) & Vaughn (91) - taking a break, and on the right the winners:
Antonia (who was on the US Team in Grenoble last year) and newcomer Jan (you didn't think you'd get their ages as well - did you?).

Once again: open clinics for newcomers, a great idea.
See our post of May 2nd.

Beginner training in Sonoma

For the last couple of years VOMPC in Sonoma has been giving free initiation classes to beginners, in the spring. At the end of the cycle, a tournament is held where each team consists of a club member and a pupil.
An excellent initiative. Obviously some of the beginners join the club, and those who don't have at least had a good time, now know the game, and who knows will take it up later.
Here you see instructors John Bouldt and John Byrne. And they bring out a video camera to study the players' swing and position and correct where necessary.
Any club who doesn't do this as yet should talk to Dwayne Reed at VOMPC, the man behind the scenes (and the camera!).

PS: The gentleman with the white cap below (left pic) joined VOMPC on his 91st birthday!!