Welcome to the Rocket City Petanque Club!
We are the petanque club of Huntsville, Alabama (and for all we know, we're the only petanque club in Alabama!). So, come on out and have some fun.
Where and when we play
We play at the picnic area of Monte Sano State Park on scheduled Sundays (see the Calendar page!) starting at 2:30pm, unless it will rain on that day. Drive up the mountain on Pratt Ave. (See map and pictures, below!) Once you pass the booth checkpoint, turn right into the first parking lot. We play in a flat, fine gravel strewn area next to the scenic overlook at the far end of the picnic area. You can find the scenic overloook by walking straight into the picnic area in the same direction you were heading as you drove in.
What to bring?
For first timers, we have extra boules (that is, sets of balls) on hand for you to play with. Once you try it out, you'll definitely want to get your own set. (Or for the heavily addicted, multiple sets.) And everyone is welcome, in fact encouraged, to bring snacks and refreshments, since making a picnic of it is part of the fun.
As the sport is no more strenous than golf, dress in clothes that you would be comfortable taking a relaxed walk in.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
The President, of course! That's me - Ken Chance.
cell: 313-657-7872
If you call, please do so
before 10pm.
Also feel free to join our
Yahoo group:
Petanque News Flash - There's yet another new piste in town!! Jere and Betsy Weaver over in Decatur built another piste in their backyard. It is a Zen/Japanese Rock garden piste, complete with trees, cypress knees, odd angles, and other foilers. They creamed Irina and me...3 games to nil...That's hard for me to post here, I'll admit. But it was really fun!
What is petanque? It is the French variant of the sport bocce ball. It is wildly popular in southern France, Quebec, New York City, Sonoma California, and Florida. Now it's right here in Alabama!
We are part of the Midwest Petanque Alliance and are affiliated with other great clubs like the Michigan Petanque Club, Detroit Petanque Club, Minneapolis Petanque Club, and Chicago Petanque Club. And clearly, we have the coolest name - Rocket City! And we have the best weather!
This photo (left) is taken from the area's newest piste, brought to us courtesy of Jere and Betsy Weaver. If you're not already impressed, get this: They built their very own piste before they ever had thrown a boule!! With their permission, we'll call their court "Rocket City - Piste West"
