DMSB ROTARY'S BOCCE TOURNAMENT RAISES OVER $45,000 TO HELP CHALLENGED YOUTH, MILITARY VETS, AND MANY OTHERS

Posted on Oct 09, 2016
 
On a blue sky October day, over 250 players, friends and volunteers played or watched bocce on 30 courts laid out on Del Mar Horsepark’s grand prix field during Del Mar-Solana Beach Rotary’s 20th Annual Bocce Ball Tournament.  They also had fun and helped raise over $45,000 for beneficiaries Just In Time For Foster Youth, Reality Changers and other deserving youth, community, military and international programs.
 
L-R:  Jane Wagner, Ann Garrett, Andrea Contrades, Conner Sims, Kramer Sims, Scott Sims, taking a break from bocce to enjoy refreshments and shade provided by Premier Sponsor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
 
 
Solana Beach’s team of Mayor David Zito and Councilmember Ginger Marshall, and Del Mar’s team of Mayor Sherryl Parks and Deputy Mayor Terry Sinnott, started the tournament by demonstrating the game of bocce.  These teams then began competition in earnest, with Solana Beach winning bragging rights until next year.  Mayor Parks promised to relinquish the “Mayor’s Trophy” it had won last year and deliver it to Mayor Zito.
 
The day was capped by Rancho Computer Network’s team of Bill Durney and Michael Irvin prevailing over Pacific Southwest Realty Services’ team of Lesley and Paul Sagar to win the overall tournament championship.  Anika Spenser and Joseph Legotte of Mesa Rim Climbing & Fitness Center won the Consolation bracket.
 
Many new participants expressed surprise and delight at the size of the tournament and the fun everyone was having.  Comments included:  “I am so impressed with the whole tournament.  What a wonderful, fun event to support worthwhile programs.  We definitely will be back next year.  It was so nice to see youth from both major beneficiaries really enjoying participating in the tournament.”
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L-R:  Del Mar Deputy Mayor Terry Sinnott, Del Mar Mayor Sherryl Parks, Tournament Head Referee Paul Butler, Solana Beach Mayor David Zito and Solana Beach Councilmember Ginger Marshall.
 
L-R, 2nd and 4th:  Tournament first place winning team players Michael Irvin and Bill Durney of Rancho Computer Networks, with presenters Bocce Tournament Chairman Jon Fish and Rotary President Liam Murphy, L-R, 1st and 3rd, respectively.
 
L-R:  Natalie Apodaca, Lesley Sagar, Mia Apodaca, Henry Mustard, and Will Mustard at the children's Jump House.
 
Many participants and staff of the Reality Changers mentoring program, as well as those of Just In Time for Foster Youth, helped to set up and take down the bocce tournament and had fun playing bocce, too.  Most of the Reality Changers participants are shown here.
 
Just In Time For Foster Youth staff and participants enjoyed their tent in between helping and playing.
 
Steve Weitzen and Kirk Collins flanking our District Governor, Marilyn Sanderson.
 
The Mayors' teams competing.