Mark Meier, Luay Ashoo, Frank Cianci, and Keenan Wallace
Lorraine Wilson
The Robson Ranch Bocce Club has been relishing an excellent fall season, with September and October bringing ideal weather conditions for play. With games scheduled to continue until mid-November, the club anticipates smooth progression toward its season playoffs, slated for the week before Thanksgiving. Thankfully, weather-related disruptions have been minimal, with only a couple of days requiring match cancellations.
To adjust for the earlier sunsets following the end of Daylight Savings Time in early November, the club has adapted its match play rules. As of Oct. 21, games have been shortened to 11 points or 20 minutes, compared to the usual 11 points or 30 minutes, ensuring that all matches, especially those at 6 p.m., can be played safely without the challenges of fading light.
A notable highlight of the season occurred on Oct. 12 when 10 members of the club participated in the Italian Club of Dallas’ bocce tournament during the DFW Italian Festival in Irving. This marked the club’s first foray into competitive play, with one Robson Ranch team advancing to the playoffs after three rounds of pool matches. The tournament, which supported the Special Olympics, provided an opportunity for the club to showcase its skills while embracing the vibrant Italian culture of the festival. The event featured traditional Italian food, wine, music, dancing, and cooking demonstrations, and it even sparked interest from several other participants in joining future tournaments at Robson Ranch.
The Robson Ranch Bocce Club, boasting an impressive 1,600 members, is sustained by the efforts of dedicated volunteers. The club’s board, which oversees operations by creating rules, organizing teams, scheduling matches, and maintaining the website, is supported by a team of sottocapos. These sottocapos handle day-to-day logistics, membership, and scheduling, while team captains, known as capos, manage their teams, organize player schedules, and ensure accurate scorekeeping. Division commissioners are on hand to enforce rules, answer questions, and resolve disputes, ensuring smooth gameplay.
In recognition of these hardworking volunteers, the club planned a special Volunteer Appreciation event on Oct. 26 at the Wildhorse Grill patio. The evening featured food, refreshments, and music as a token of gratitude for the individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the club running efficiently.
As the season draws to a close, the Robson Ranch Bocce Club looks forward to more competitive play, community camaraderie, and celebrating the contributions of its volunteers.