For the second time this year, the picturesque Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano hosted a wonderful evening of all things Italian.
The Aperitivo event coupled with a bocce ball tournament has become the perfect combination of good food, wine, friendly competition and lively conversation in a spectacular setting.
San Juan Capistrano Mayor Sam Allevato, who is currently pursuing his Italian citizenship, matched up the teams, laid out the ground rules and signaled the start of six games that ran simultaneously on pristine grass that was manicured to simulate lanes.
Contestant’s jaws dropped when two 2014 Maserati cars were driven up and parked adjacent to the bocce ball course. It was rumored that the tournament winner would win either the convertible GranTurismo or the Quatroporte. Although disappointing, the cars were on display to welcome South County Maserati at Mission Viejo that recently opened to rave reviews. General Manager Ray Simmons was excited to be so quickly involved with the Italian American community and to have such a beautiful venue to display the elegant and coveted cars.
Natale Brigante & Sal Scarantino made it to the finals to take on Peter Prescott and Alex Shipman at the Bocce Ball Tournament that was held on Thursday, May 8th. The two teams were whittled down from a field of 32– two-person teams. It was destined to be a competitive tournament from the moment the first ball was rolled out and a call for a judge’s measuring was required. Games were played until it was too dark to see the balls. The close final match had Prescott and Shipman raising their arms as the tournament winners. Brigante and Scarantino promised to be back for a rematch. Both teams were awarded wine, dinner at Marbella and the much sought-after Carabini-Colarossi olive oil from Tuscany.
While the games were being played on the croquette turned bocce court, over a 100 guests enjoyed a delicious Italian buffet, wine tasting of Rio Maggio wines and homemade limoncello made from Ryan Murcko’s Nonna’s family recipe.
Prescott and Shipman will need to defend their title at the next tournament scheduled at Marbella Country Club celebrating Ferragosto, August 15th.
The Aperitivo / Bocce Ball Tournament is presented on behalf of San Juan Capistrano’s Sister City program with Capestrano, Italy in an effort to promote Italian culture in Orange County. For more information about the next Bocce Ball Tournament, Italian Movie Night and other Italian events, contact Vicky Carabini at vcarabini@cox.net.
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