Growing up in an Italian family, I remember bocce as a game the old-timers played in the backyard while they smoked their Parodi cigars, drank homemade red wine and waited for the sausage and peppers to fiinish cooking on the grill.
But bocce was around long before the sons of Italy emmigrated to America. As early as 5200 B.C., the ancient Egyptians played a form of it using polished rocks.
From the Egyptians, the game spread to the ancient Greeks who taught it to the Romans, who were among the first to play a game resembling the bocce we know today. In fact, bocce derived its name from the Vulgate (or vulgar) Latin word bottia, meaning ‘boss.?
Today, next to soccer, bocce is the most popular game in the world, played and enjoyed by many people, not just Italians.
Evidence of bocce’s growing popularity in America can be found locally as Palazzo di Bocce in Orion Township hosted the 2004 Battaglia Bocce Invitational Oct. 29-30 ? a local bocce tournament founded by the establishment’s owner Tony Battaglia, a former general contractor from Oakland Township.
Forty, three-man teams (120 players in all) were invited from across the United States and Canada to participate in this year’s tournament and compete for $14,500 in cash prizes.
‘This is the big money tournament,? said Mike Thomas, of Oxford, Palazzo’s Food and Beverage Director. ‘Most bocce tournaments have a $500 prize or $1,000 prize. Our first prize is $7,000. That’s serious money for bocce. And it’s going to continue to get bigger. Mr. Battaglia’s pretty much committed to making it the biggest money tournament in the U.S.?
The tournament began in Battaglia’s backyard four years ago. ‘I started it at my home because four years ago I was thinking about starting this place,? he said, referring to Palazzo di Bocce, a 32,000-square-foot facility complete with 10 indoor bocce courts and fine Italian dining.
‘I started with 16 (two-man) teams at the house. Then it went to 18, then 24. And that was all I could do at the house (with 3 outdoor courts),? said Battaglia, who’s won two silver medals competing in U.S. Bocce Championships and sits on U.S. Bocce Federation’s board of directors.
Now that Palazzo di Bocce is a reality, Battaglia said, ‘Eventually, I’d like to get this (tournament) up to 60 to 80 teams.?
He even wants to include the ladies. ‘Next year, I want to try to get 12 women’s teams to compete.?
Battaglia would also like to secure some sponsorships and increase the prize money to between $20,000 and $30,000. ‘I want to make it the biggest money tournament in the U.S. Right now, it is at $14,500.?
On Sept. 18, 2005, Palazzo di Bocce will host the bocce world championship featuring teams from 28-30 countries.