Photos courtesy of Jimmy Dunne
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
There’s a new sheriff at Veterans Gardens, and it is the Bocce Buddies.
The team stole the Senior League crown from two-time champion High Rollers in a dramatic final match May 23, thanks to the “last roll” heroics of Mark Waldrep, who cooly landed a bay in the final frame of the third and deciding game to the utter amazement of the packed crowd lining the courts.
High Rollers won the first game but, led by pallino pal George Junger and the league’s Most Improved Player David Perez, Bocce Buddies took Game 2 to level the match. After Waldrep’s remarkable shot, he and his teammates hoisted the Bocce Cup before continuing the celebration at the season-ending awards party at the Bay Theater.
Meanwhile, Cinderella stories Bocce Mi and Bocce Boys were engaged in riveting finale of their own for the Sunset League title. Both were winless in the regular season but won their respective wildcard divisions and ultimately advanced to the championship match May 23.
Bolstered by the shots of Len LaBella and Mike Kirrene, Bocce Mi easily won the first game. Bocce Boys rebounded in the second, setting the stage for a first-to-five decider. Glen Barad, David Saloff, Randy Bernstein and company were laser accurate in taking home the trophy.
The summer session starts June 6 and 8 for the Sunset League (cost is $75 per player) and June 6 for the Senior League (also $75 per player). Sunset League matches will be Tuesdays at 5:15 and 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 5:15 and 6:30 p.m. while Senior League matches will be Tuesdays at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.
To save your spot, make your payment by June 1. New players can sign up at veteransgardens.com/palisades-league.
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