Cathy, Sue, Mike, & Larry Visit the Club

The Michigan Petanque Club had a splendid day of boule with Cathy & Mike; and Sue & Larry playing extremely well for what is veritably their first time playing. I noticed that Larry's playing was almost too good, so the club will have to keep a watchful eye on this possible "ringer." Sue pointed her boules with an expert eye for the terrain - and we owe many points to her "getting the close boule." Cathy often led her team in pointing, and with good reason, she showed us (and especially Mike) who hefts the strong arm (for Petanque). Now Mike, I must say, has the exact character our club needs, he points well, and has shot well, but the exuberance with which he comments during the match puts everyone in good spirits. I'm excited to see the "Petanque Trash Talking" that goes on when he meets up with Ken, Joe, and Roland. We also had the Detroit Free Press come to visit us today. There was extensive interest from Mr. Snyder - perhaps we can enlist him in the club as well - and we look forward to reading his article to be published soon. All in all, a great day for the club - everyone had fun.

Cathy shows us her pointing skill

Cathy (with her impressed husband watching on) points very well. This is a new game for Mike and Cathy (as attested by their shiny new Obut boules) but I think they'll be playing fantastic well before the last chrome flakes off their boules.

Toasted Boules Anyone?

Joe cleverly found a way to warm up his boules for play. I imagine we could patent the idea, but the equipment may be too cumbersome to carry around.

Larry Gives the Gesture of Approval

Larry uses finesse when pointing as can be seen here. The club was quite impressed with the high level of Petanque play from this "boule ringer!"

Sue and Larry Had a Fun Day with Us

Sue and Larry had a great time playing Petanque with our Club and we all hope to see them again soon. I swear, that Larry, he must have played this game before, he was really really good. I'll have to check the face-books from the Petanque World Championship in Grenoble...

Larry Shoots - and Scores!

Larry shooting - and with success!

Mike Shows us his Arm of Gold

Mike has everything it takes for great Petanque play. But what we enjoy the most is his energetic character. He is a fine addition to our group - and we can't wait to see how he interacts with Roland and the others.

Big Thanks to J.D. from Suburban Lifestyles Magazine for this group photo of the participants at the Winter Exposition this past weekend. We all had a great time playing inside the Bordine Nursery Boulodrome. 

Winter Exhibition was a Great Success

We had a tremendous showing for this past Sunday. Much thanks for everyone braving the cold and windy weather to join us in the Bordine Nursery boulodrome for petanque play and contests.

We had a nice guest attendance including Dan's friends from the Classic Car Collectors group and Joe's friends from the Horseshoes Club: Sue, Cathy, Dave, Mike, Doug, Laurie, and Pat.

Members attending included: Joe, Dan, Thierry, Cyrille, Jean-Claude, Roland, Don, Ken, and Jeff.

Reporter & Photographer, J.D. from Suburban Lifestyles Magazine had a few tries with the boules and seemed to enjoy himself. (Join the team J.D. - you're a natural).

The day began with some petanque playing, with members mixing with guests. I had the good fortune to team up with Laurie and Sue in a very competitive game verses Dan, Dave and Doug.

We found a "ringer" in Sue, who seemed to take an experienced eye to the game (along with some amusing Petanque "trash talking" against the opposition). Laurie led each end with excellent pointing which "held" for many throws (much to the consternation of Dan's team. In the end, we decided to "let" the "all men" team win for the sake of saving face.


Our Shooting Contest was exceptionally fun, and with some surprising, (and some not so surprising) results. [see the score card in the blog for all of the numbers]. The all-members Pointing Contest with its millimeter-perfect tabulations proved to me that I have a long way to go in order to place in the next contest.

All in all, we had a great time with our guests, and enjoyed good food, good fun, exciting contests, and all inside the Bordine Nursery boulodrome while the winter winds howled harmlessly outside.

Ken shot an amazing 7 boules out of 10 tries. A really fantastic result. We'll have to keep an eye on this member, as his pointing is also excellent.

Down to the millimeter. Next time, I'll try to remember to bring my talking-tape-measure to ease the tabulations. This was a 3-boule placement, whereupon measurements to the cochon are taken and summed.

Laser Grid-Mapping Technology for Pure Advantage

Never one to let hard work and practice hinder his efforts at easy results, Jeff, under cover of darkness, will be using the latest in laser technology to grid-map the entire boulodrome down to the millimeter. These efforts will show in next weekend's prize-winning results at the Winter Exhibition.

Sunday Game Was Played Despite an Inch of Snow

Only the diehards showed to compete! Not Jeff, Don, or
Ken... poke, poke, poke :-)

It was just me, Danny and Cyrille. We played single
vs. doublette, and just rotated each other from team
to team. After 3 games, I became too cocky as I was
the only single player to take down the opposing
doublette. So as usual, the tides turned and Danny
won his singles, then Cyrille won his singles, and I
lost my next singles... but all was good. We all left
with a 50/50 record, and not mention how happy we were
to still play with an inch of snow outside... we all
left grateful afterall...

I think the three of us picked up some secrets about
the terrain this weekend though that we'll have to
wait until next weekend to see if they prove
effective... But we're not telling it just now to the
"no-shows"! :-)

See you next weekend!

Winter Exhibition for Sunday, December 19, 2004

Joe Zajac announced a Winter Exhibition after the final polishing of the piste surface in the Michigan Petanque Club's boulodrome in the Bordine Nursery in Rochester, Michigan.

Visit the website: WWW.MICHIGANPETANQUE.COM for the Press Release.

It will be nice to show the public our club's boulodrome, and of course, the sport of Petanque.

Club members: please tell any who you think may be interested to stop by to watch and play.

Boulodrome - T-Shirt and Shorts Weather!!!

This past Sunday, the Michigan Petanque Club's boulodrome hosted two games for ten of its members: Cyrille, Dan, Don, Ken, Joe, Camille, Roland, Gerard, Jean Claude, and Jeff.

Though there are multiple pistes ready for play, the two games used the least rocky ones. There is quite a bit of advantage for those who study the particular terrain of the pistes (slope, holes, rocks).

I personally enjoyed the new challenges of the indoor pistes (which make the Royal Oak terrain look like smooth glass). What was equally appreciated, the much warmer temperature inside the windless greenhouse.

It is a remarkable space, and we are most fortunate for Bordine's generosity in allowing us to use it.

Roland Shoots Very Well

Roland was teamed up with Jeff today, which was a lucky thing for Jeff as Roland's skill at shooting kept us in the game. (Note to Self: Must Practice More)

Don points with consistent success

My friend Don, is an excellent pointer, and I was lucky to be teamed up with him for a few matches. As you can see, the pistes are well-groomed, and the atmosphere is very comfortable. You would never guess how cold it was outside the boulodrome. Thank you Bordine Nursery!

Plenty to Eat

Plenty of delicious food was available for the players, including a spicy basil oil dip with bread and cheese (thanks Joe), and a selection of fantastic cookies and meranques from Le Petit Prince (thanks Cyrille). You can almost guarantee that Michigan Petanque Club members don't starve.

Members Begin Game Play

Our members beginning game play. We had a nice turn-out on Sunday and had two pistes running at once.