Michigan Petanque Club Merchandise Available

Don't you sometimes feel a bit - underdressed when you're tossing your boule at the boulodrome. Do you yearn for a hooded sweatshirt with our club's logo boldly emblazoned across the back? Perhaps you want to wear boxers that show your wry sense of humor?

it's all at the Michigan Petanque Club store: www.cafepress.com/boules

or click to get there by visiting our main website...

Snow Emergency Doesn't Stop Petanquers

Winter snow piled up on the roof of Bordine greenhouse #30, while inside twenty die-hard Petanquers comfortably played boule. "I'm not exactly sure if we'll be able to leave the boulodrome if the snow gets any deeper," Jeff mused, "but there's plenty of hay-bales and cheesecake for all of us if we have to stay the night." Jeff had a few boule-spins of his own during the trek up from Wyandotte. There were plenty of spin-outs, one of which was my own little Toyota Corolla at the I-75 Exit on to Rochester Road. But facing a near accident in order to play a few rounds of Petanque was well worth it.

As people started filing out into the snow to return home, President-Joe and VP-Jeff played a final nail-biter game, which brought them to 12/12. Jeff placed a very close boule, but Joe matched and beat it, almost touching the cochon. With one boule left, Jeff was a shooting situation (the boule, not Joe) and -- MISS ! Joe took the game 13/12.

BATTLE OF THE BOULES

The Battle of the Boules is official.

Teams from the Michigan Petanque Club will play both Bocce and Petanque against teams from the Palazzo di Bocce on March 13 and 20th. The overall champion will be determined by the total amount of points from all games played.

If you are interested in participating, please let us know as soon as possible. If you haven't played Bocce (it isn't easy) you'll need to practice, as well as perfecting your Petanque techniques.

We plan to make trips to the Palazzo di Bocce for practice - so please take this into consideration if you want to participate.

The prize - The Battle of the Boules Cup

Ray Shows Us His Bocce Style

Newest club member, Ray, an avid Bocce player, shows us his bocce-style by pointing extremely well. We have much to learn from Ray (especially in case we have a tournament against Palazzo di Bocce).

Mike and Ray - Bocce AND Petanque Experts

Mike and Ray take a moment from their Petanque games to pose for the camera. Both have shown that their Bocce roots have given them "automatic experience" with Petanque play.

No Hokey Pokey in Petanque

You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out, and you do the Hokey Pokey and Turn Your Self About.... Club member Ken has a fantastic ability to point and shoot equally well - but for international tournaments, he may have to adjust his technique...

Largest Showing of our Club Members Yet!

Club President, Joe Zajac, sorts about 20 boules for team play. This is one of the largest showings of our membership.

Ken Grooms Petanque Player in Roanoke Virginia

Ken's Nephew (down in Roanoke, Virginia) looks ready for all challenges with his Petanque boules. We'll have to keep in touch with his progress - pointer or shooter?

Ken has introduced Petanque to his family down in Roanoke, Virginia. As you can see, his Brother-In-Law and Nephew have really taken to the game. If only we could have such scenery... 

Dave begins his 8 month raking session

Few of our club members realize that the hazing period for raking the pistes lasts for months. Club Member Dave (shown above) begins his 8 month raking session. Wait until he finds out about the cochonnet eating hazing contest.

Like the Basilisk of Old Mythology, Ken Stuns Us All

As onlookers stand transfixed by Ken's Petanque play, we can only hope to find ourselves in a match with him on our team.

Maestro Takes the Field

Romain should be nicknamed "Maestro" after a really fantastic performance on Sunday with excellent shooting and pointing. His boule work changed a few games from utter defeat into victory.

Club Members Line Up for Team Sorting

[CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE]

Caught in Mid-Air

While Anita and Joyce look on, Eric expertly executes a shooting manuever. It was a tough game, but thankfully soft-spoken Joyce saved our team at least twice with well shot boules. Anita pointed like a pro - only to have Jeff take her boule on as a target.

Bocce Mike may be new Petanque Convert

An avid Bocce player for 18 years, Mike's enthusiasm on the Petanque piste may have converted him to boule. As luck would have it, a "bocce-ball" gift from a family friend happened to actually be Petanque boules. We look forward to seeing Mike use his Bocce strategies on us.

Boulodrome is Packed

With the club membership roster growing steadily, we were fortunate that Joe and Dan groomed all four pistes for use. When the Summer hits, we'll need to expand the Royal Oak piste as well.

Boules Boules Everywhere

A magnificent showing of club members old and new today. Dan was very busy counting up and sorting the teams. Mike and Cathy's boules were painted (red/yellow) to assist in telling them apart. I think it is an excellent idea.

Joe Shows Jim His Shooting Techniques

While new member Jim looks on, Joe shoots his boules. We had quite a turn-out this past Sunday. I look forward to more Monty Python-esque exchanges with Jim. What's next? Silly-Boule throwing and using pointed sticks for circle drawing...

Can No One Stop LaChance?

Michigan Petanque Sports Central News Agency

Report from January 28, 2005 - Team LaChance Reporting

The crowds were cheering thunderously out at the boulodrome Friday night as led by Team Z Obut led by Joe Zajac had his weekly match with chief rival, Team LaChance Integrale. Suspense was in the air as Team Z Obut entered the evening’s match with a 3 games to 1 advantage in the latest Rochester Best of Nine.

Team Z started the evening off with brilliant pointing and commanding shooting scoring a strong 13-4 victory over Team Integrale. This put Team Z into a commanding 4 games to 1 lead, and the Michigan Petanque sports staff was already busy writing the story of what would be Team Z’s first victory in after a string of six Best of Nine wins by Team LaChance Integrale.

Ken Chance of Team Integrale seemed stunned by the result of the first match. With visible effort he collected himself and wiped away his look of shock. And then, the amazing happened, something unprecedented in the experience of the Michigan Petanque Sports writing staff. LaChance turned the night around and went on to win four consecutive games! In the final game, the ninth game of this Best of Nine, LaChance scored a stinging 13-3 win against Zajac. Thus ended the seventh consecutive Best of Nine series, yet again in favor of LaChance Integrale, with LaChance recovering amazingly from a 4 games to 1 deficit. Can no one stop LaChance?

The assembled crowds swept Mr. Chance from the Boulodrome on their shoulders amidst deafening cheers and roaring applause.

In an interview after the match, Mr. Zajac commented that he had consulted a medium for advice on how Team Z can stop the juggernaut that is LaChance Integrale. Zajac related that in answer to this question, the seer's crystal ball went as solidly opaque as a boule! Not a good omen for Team Z.

End of report

Record Snow Fall Does Not Stop Joe Zajac

President Joe Zajac at the Petanque Boulodrome on Saturday after a record snowfall. He wants everyone to know that he's had the path plowed and ready for our members to access the boulodrome. It is a good thing too, can you imagine how hard it would be to locate thrown boules in THAT snow?!