La Boule du Desert wishes to thank all the players and participants of its Spring Open Petanque Tournament on April 24 and 25, 2010.
Although our week started on a very cool note (low 60s) all that changed for the weekend when high 80's and mid 90s temperatures were recorded. While a bit tepid for a Petanque Tournament, all 16 teams adapted by drinking lots of water and playing superbly. The qualifying rounds were played on Saturday and the battles for the Finals and Consolantes were waged on Sunday. It was epic!... Well may be not, but we witnessed some very good and interesting Petanque playing.
In the end, Thom Nguyen,Thom Van Thai and Quentin Nguyen took First Place. For their efforts they shared a cash prize of $210, and each received a trophy and a Ricard T-shirt. Second Place went to Patrick Mercier and Brian Peters who shared $120 and each also got a Ricard T-shirt. Third Place, each player getting a bottle of Ricard and a set of boules went to Georges Rouveyrol, Artem Zuev and Pierre Pizzella.
Ben and Karen Bull and Michael Baughn, who placed first in the Consolante shared $120, and received each a trophy and a Ricard T-shirt. Next Gordon Waxman and Bruce and Carol Marcus got a bottle of Ricard and a T-shirt each. Third Consolante winners, Jean Bonnardot, Gerard Commerieu and Bernard Meylan received sets of boules.
Congratulation to all the winners!
Some of the prizes were donated by our very generous Sponsor, Mr. Raymond Spoorenberg at PERNOD-RICARD U.S.A. CO.
The tournament finished on a high note at the French Corner Restaurant where we dined on Blanquette de Veau (prepared by our chefs) and the restaurant completed the balance of the meal with Gazpacho, cheese and salad, and a french pastry.
We thank you all again for making our 2010 Spring Tournament such a success.
Yours in Petanque
Gerard Canabou, President,
and la Boule du Desert Membership