Lake Worth on Saturday February 27th

At the RV park

Three of our favorite petanque ladies: Gina, Michelle, and Shannon

Jo Ella explains

Shade was welcome

Shannon and Juan clowning around

Cynthia and Susan with Jo Ella

We went through the John Prince RV Park (first five pictures above) to check out the amenities for a possible Jan-Mar 2017 trip. The RV Park is in the same park where Lake Worth Petanque Club plays, but in a different area. While RV Park courts looked okay, they're a little short, and the more-appropriate-for-petanque courts that the FPUSA club plays on are only a few hundred yards away.

We said hello to lots of old friends and played practice games throughout the afternoon. Shirley planned to play in the Women's Triples on Sunday, whereas I was just sort of along for the ride. We did enjoy the practice play as we acclimated to the terrain. The playing area is very firm and what little sand top dressing there is often comes and goes with the swirling winds. Overall the surface is really good for petanque since even high lobs don't leave dents to speak of.

Campground petanque

There are many campgrounds throughout Florida where petanque is played. One caveat- many of them use rules that differ considerably from the official game we play. They often play from the ends of the court which may be slightly elevated from the playing surface. Or they play from cement pads located on the courts but in a fixed position. They often have limitations prohibiting standing on the courts during play and usually don't allow repair of divots. Many of the players play a rolling type game that sometimes resembles bowling more than true petanque.

Pictured here are a couple of places that Shirley and I checked out on our road trip down to Lake Worth. They're in Frostproof, Florida. The first four pictures are at Rainbow RV Resort and the last four at Camp Inn RV Resort.

News from Morganton!

On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 8:42 PM, Kaye Taliana wrote:

Great News from the Mayor of Morganton, Ronnie Thompson. My brother just called and said the City of Morganton has agreed to put $20,000 in capital budget to build petanque courts. There was no opposition at the budget reading. It is not a done deal yet but with no opposition, it is almost certain to pass. Ronnie wants to get started on the courts just as soon as the money is available, at the end of June. He has requested that Carolina Petanque members assist with the planning and building of the courts so they will be done right and ready to hold a tournament in 2017.

Ronnie was Super Excited about the proposed petanque courts and needs our help to make it happen, so let's not let him down!

Unfortunately, I have not been so lucky with Parks and Rec in Raleigh :(

Kaye

Kathy and Kaye at the 2015 Lexington Barbecue Festival Tournament

Southeast Inter-Regional Men's and Women's Singles in Sanford, Florida

The office

Entrance from FL SR46

Parking and tenting (and petanque?) area

Large, clean pool

All types of campers

Our spot

One more

Shirley and I took our smallest travel trailer, our 2015 SONIC, to Twelve Oaks RV Resort, located in Sanford, Florida, and just 1.9 miles from Sylvan Lake Park where Oh La La Petanque Club plays. The trip down from NC was an easy one-day tow of about 560 miles, give or take. The RV Resort is a very nice facility with easy access, pull-through campsites for people who are only planning to stay for a short visit. They even have tent sites if you prefer that style of camping. We can recommend it as a great place to stay if you enjoy camping and want to visit Oh La La for petanque.

Morning announcements by Richard

Carolina Petanque members, Jean Claude and Patricia

JC pointing

Beautiful, old trees

Nancy and Gina

Sue and Debbie

Brenda, Hank, and Suzanne

Women's finalists

Women's Consolante

Women's Champion, Gina, in her "lucky shirt"

Shirley (2nd), Gina (1st), and Debbie (3rd)

Sue was second in Women's Consolante and Danny won Men's Consolante

Men's Champion, Bernard Martin

The Medalists!

Bernard Martin won the Men's Championship for the second year in a row. The Women also had a repeat Champion, Gina DeJoy.

Shirley had the best finish of any Carolina Petanque players. She was runner-up for the second year in a row. Jean Claude qualified for the Men's Concours, but lost to eventual-winner Bernard Martin in the first round. Danny won the Men's Consolante and Sue was runner-up in the Women's Consolante. Gary lost in the Consolante quarter finals.