Playing petanque a simple pleasure for Sarasota Francophiles

Jacques Bajard, Jacques Priami, Patricia Griffin, Christian Bousquet, and Brenda Green watch as Susan Martinolich, center, tosses a “boule.”

There are only about 40 petanque clubs in the U.S., but I shouldn’t be that surprised that Sarasotahas one.  After all, petanque is one of France’s most popular outdoor pastimes, and the Suncoast has more than its share of Europeans, Canadians, and lovers of all things French.

Many people think petanque is the French equivalent of Italian bocce — but that’s more of a bowling game, played on a court. Others liken petanque to horseshoes.  And while there are similarities with both games, petanque, pronounced “pay-tonk,” is a game unto itself.

The game can be played on almost any outdoor surface; you just need a cleared space for ball-tossing.  The goal is to toss an orange-sized, hollow, silver, steel ball, known as a “boule,” as close as possible to a “cochonnet” — a much smaller wooden target ball.  Points are based on proximity to the target ball, which, since it can be hit and moved by a boule at any time during the game, means the score can change dramatically up to the very last seconds of play.

It was hot and humid when I drove out to Lakeview Paw Park this past Sunday to catch up with the Sarasota Club de Petanque; but the area of play felt almost enchanting — a clearing tucked midway into the park and shaded from the sun by the large, leafy limbs of surrounding oaks — a serene setting punctuated by the charming sounds of spoken French.  (Everyone speaks English as well … but what a great way to practice one’s French.)

Jesse Neice prepares to throw.

The club has about 35 year-round members and meets around9:15 every Sunday morning, playing several games before breaking for “le pique-nique” at noon. Some members have been playing for years — like club president Christian Bousquet, who helped co-found the organization back in 1996.  Jacques Bajard is one of the club’s oldest members at 88; the youngest club member is 16.

Patricia Griffin and Susan Martinolich, relative newcomers to the game and to Sarasota; both say they’re enjoying the club’s camaraderie.  Treasurer Brenda Green first learned the sport inArizonaand has been playing a couple of years.  “You get hooked on it,” she says.  “Once you start playing … you can’t stop.”

If petanque piques your interest, the Club welcomes newcomers; they even provide loaner “boules” for people who want to give petanque a first time try.  Get an informal introduction to the club tonight, when members gather for a Bastille Day celebration at J Ryan’s Restaurant (8389 S. Tamiami Trail), where Bousquet is the chef.

Petanque is a “game of skill,” Bousquet says, but one that anyone can easily learn and play.  And if it is addictive, petanque is at least inexpensive.  No high-tech shoes or equipment necessary; just a set of boules, which cost around $40; club membership is only $30 a year.  Other than that, all that’s needed is an appreciation of the more simple and enduring pleasures of life: sharing friendly competition, a few laughs — and perhaps a baguette — on a sunny Sunday morning in the company of others.

– Write M.C. at mcrealityonline@yahoo.com.