Tuesday, January 29, 2013

After the storm





Just a couple of days after a rain/sleet/snow event in piedmont North Carolina, we were back on the courts at Miller Park in Winston-Salem.  The day was mid 40s and a little overcast, but the weather didn't seem to bother the ten of us who showed up to play.  Khalid made the trip from Charlotte and the Quilicis, Augustin and Susanne, drove over from Hickory.  The Winston group included Joseph, Gail, Bob, Fred, and Rom.  Of course Shirley and I came the thirty-odd miles from Lexington.

The usual number one court was still a little too soft from the precipitation, so we played in the picnic table overflow area and on the number two court which had drained much better than number one.  Our play areas were still a little on the soft side; but, not enough as to create much of a problem.

Khalid was telling me that, fresh from his tied-for-third-overall finish at the 2012 Petanque America Open, he hopes and plans to play a few more FPUSA sanctioned tournaments in 2013.  Here's wishing him the best.  He's a great representative for our club-- both in his superior skills and in projecting the competitive-but-friendly  attitude by which we hope our club is known .

Friday, January 25, 2013

New CarolinaPetanque President

Kirk

Bob
Bob Moyer is stepping down as president of CarolinaPetanque.  He will remain in the club as past-president.  Many thanks to him for his role in the club's original founding back in 2007 and his contributions over the years since.

Assuming the mantle for 2013 is Kirk Edwards.  Kirk has been playing a more and more active role in the club of late.  He expanded his annual invitational July tournament in Spruce Pine to include all of CarolinaPetanque for the first time in 2012.  He has also assumed a national role within the FPUSA in the promotion of youth petanque in this country. He has some innovative ideas for the club to consider in 2013, more about which at a later date.

Thanks to both Bob and Kirk for volunteering to serve.


January 20, 2013, at Miller Park





Our first play upon returning to the Carolinas after our Texas holidays was at Miller Park in Winston-Salem.  It was a really gorgeous day, so we had eleven people turnout to play.  Not bad for January in North Carolina!

Zaytouna Lounge Tournament











Our friend Amine's lounge on North Lamar in Austin was the January 6th setting for our first tournament play of 2013.  Amine hopes to have a mini-tournament, open to all, on the first Sunday of each month.  Shirley and I lost two of our three qualifying games, so we were out early.  One of our losses was to the eventual tournament winners, Jacques and Matt.  They played well all afternoon and deserved the win.

Our other loss was to the eventual runners-up, Brian and Abdul.  They also played well and had even beaten Jacques and Matt in a qualifying round.

Congratulations to the winners and to Amine for a great venue and well-run tournament!

December 30, 2012


It was back to the French Legation for Sunday play.

Cold Friday at Pease Park


We played Friday afternoon Dec. 28th at Pease Park in Austin Texas.  Check out the cold weather gear!

French Legation (Austin, Tx, Dec 23, 2012)





Shirley and I played at the French Legation and saw some of our Texas friends for the first time in a while.

Miller Park 12-09-2012





Sunday was probably our last chance to play in the Carolinas in 2012.  We leave soon to spend the holidays with the grandkids in Texas.

Saturday 12-08-12 at the Wiens'






Terry and Sue called and invited us over for afternoon petanque.  Randy was there, so the five of us played.