For Austin Santos, what started as a backyard game with roommates and friends years ago became an event on Saturday.
Santos, of the restaurant 1702 at 1702 E. Speedway, organized the first-ever 1702 and Dogfish Head Tucson Bocce Ball Extravaganza at Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road. Entering the double-elimination tourney were 16 four-person teams — the winner of which will travel to Phoenix for the Dogfish Head Intergalactic Bocce Tournament in May at Dogfish's expense.
Bocce, Austin said, "is growing, it's really growing" in popularity and it appeals to a wide range of folks. "My grandmother and her pinochle group are here watching."
No doubt one of the appeals of the sport is the beer.
"It's the only sport you can play with a pint glass in your hand," said Louis Dolgoff, Arizona Sales Manager for co-sponsor Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. "It's the perfect sport for drinking."
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"It's a really good game to get different types of people together," 17-year bocce veteran Bob Crowley said. "And of course, it's a great excuse to drink beer."
Bocce is played casually on Sundays at various locales and times through 1702.
For more information go online to www.1702az.com or call 1702 at 325-1702.
