Highwood Bocce Club Announces 2019 Men’s Club Champion

The Highwood Bocce Club (HBC) announced that Todd Mikell (38) of Highwood, Illinois, has been named the 2019 Highwood Bocce Club Men’s Champion.

Mikell was the winner of the Club-wide tournament, which began in July and ended Friday, September 6, 2019, when Mikell won the final in a hotly contested match against Tom Holleman (51) of Highland Park, Ill., with scores of 12/9 and 12/10. Danny Passaglia, President of the U.S. Bocce Federation refereed the competition which attracted a large crowd of Club members and bocce enthusiasts.

The third place match was held the same night, with last year’s men’s champion Maurizio Gianpaolo Perrelli (38) of Highwood, Ill., taking third place and Miles Russell (31) of Highwood, Ill., coming in fourth. Lio Giannotti, Vice President of the Midwestern Sector of the U.S. Bocce Federation refereed their games.

“The Championship Tournament is one that we all look forward to,” said HBC President Peter Pieracci. “It gives all players a chance to measure their skills and engage in a friendly but serious competition. The level of play this year was outstanding, and our final round highlighted the skills of some of our younger members. It was an exceptional experience and outcome for the Club.”

The HBC’s popular annual tournament, now in its fourth year, began on July 1, 2019, with more than 50 members competing in individual matches. The 2019 women’s tournament is currently underway.

The HBC was established in 1969 and has been growing and improving ever since, giving generations of local players the opportunity to experience authentic Italian bocce courts and equipment. The Club offers leagues for men, women, and mixed couple members throughout the year.

The HBC will host the Women’s Pan-American Bocce Tournament December 3-9, 2019. The competition will showcase some of the world’s best women bocce players, from eight countries in North and South America.

The Club has previously hosted the U.S. National championships and was chosen to be the site of the first World Cup event ever held in America. The Club made international headlines when tenor and bocce-fanatic Luciano Pavarotti paid a visit to the HBC when he was in Chicago performing with the Lyric Opera.

About the Highwood Bocce Club

The Highwood Bocce Club is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2019. The Club currently has more than 640 members and is located at 440 Bank Lane in Highwood, Illinois. The HBC hosts a variety of social activities for members while promoting the game of bocce and creating an awareness of Italian heritage and culture. Find more information about the Club and its activities at www.highwoodbocce.com and “like us” on Facebook at highwoodbocceclub.