WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL BLOG for La Pétanque Marinière in San Rafael, California. LPM has been an active Marin pétanque club since 1972 and affiliated with the Fédération of Pétanque USA, since 1975. We welcome people of all abilities, ages and nationalities to come and enjoy pétanque with us.

The Pierre Joske Courts are located on Civic Center drive in San Rafael. (click for directions). Casual games are played every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from about 1 pm. Tournament play is usually held on the second Sunday of every month.

Please consult the links on the sidebar to the right for more information on clubs in the bay area, nationally and world wide.

If you would like to play but haven't any boules, please contact our President, Christine Cragg. They can bring some for you to use, as well as introduce you to the basic skills and techniques of pétanque. In addition, if you are looking to purchase boules but are unsure as to which size and weight are right for you, we have a range of different examples from which to choose.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Pétanque in the Olympics

Please show your support to Marc Guerin and his team at Boules Sport 2024 who are working their tails off to get Petanque (along with 2 other boule sports) to become an Olympic sport. I mean, who would not love to get to see some petanque at the Olympics!!???
Visit this website( http://www.boules-sport.org/uk/ ) and register your vote of support. Let's show the world that the USA loves petanque too!

Thank you,
La Pétanque Marinière

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

La Boule D'Or - San Francisco Pétanque

 In 1959, a group of French expatriates founded La Boule D’Or Pétanque Club in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. It is the nation’s second oldest pétanque club and has flourished for the better part of fifty-six years. Now, after so many of the original members are gone or aging, La Boule D’Or needs help if it will survive.
There are a few individuals trying their hardest to keep the club together yet with a shrinking membership and low attendance at the courts, it is indeed difficult.
For those of you who live in San Francisco and enjoy pétanque and the its’ camaraderie, please help La Boule D’Or survive by taking an interest in the club. For those of you who belong to other clubs in the Bay Area, please try to support them by attending their events. Wherever you live or play, tell your friends about the game! Invite them along! Show them how to play! Be pro-active in preserving pétanque in San Francisco! This will be the only way we can keep such a great pétanque venue from disappearing.
The next Boule D’or event, “Les Paniers de Noël, will take place, weather permitting, at the courts in Golden Gate Park on December 6th. ** Sign up before 10:30 ** Games begin at 11 AM
Carrousel Doubles / 4 games ** $8.00 to play in the tournament.
Golden Gate Park / 36th & Fulton ** Info: Alain 209-251-9157
Bring your own lunch and join us for a day of petanque in Golden Gate Park.

Monday, November 9, 2015

2015 Women’s Petanque World Championships

Ke Leng poses on the podium with her gold and the Cambodian flag at the 2015 Women’s Petanque World Championships.
Ke Leng poses on the podium with her gold and the Cambodian flag at the 2015 Women’s Petanque World Championships. Photo supplied

Ke Leng lands gold at petanque worlds

Ke Leng, the heroine of Cambodian petanque, scooped a gold medal at the 2015 Women’s Petanque World Championships in Bangkok at the weekend. 
Ke Leng, coming off the back of a gold medal at the previous world championship, quickly qualified for the quarter finals with a six point victory. 
She faced Canada’s Maryse Bergeron in the last eight of a competition that is in its 15th year and features over 100 entrants, winning 41-21, before progressing to an easy win over Audrey Bandiera of France, the birthplace of petanque, with a score of 28 to Bandiera’s 9. 
Ke Leng faced strong rival Mouna Beji of Tunisia in the final, which she won 33-24, securing her gold medal and her defence of the world championship in the process.
Ke Leng celebrated her second win at the world championships by waving the Cambodian flag. 
Ke Leng also competed in the team event, alongside her countrywomen Um Chanthrea, Uk Sreymom and Un Sreiya, but with less success. 
While the team topped the group stages, they lost in the quarter-final to defending world champions Thailand.
Alongside her gold medal, Leng can expect a 120 million riel ($30,000) award from the government. 
The celebrations which greeted Ke and the rest of Cambodia’s medal-winners at Phnom Penh airport were somewhat subdued, with only representatives from the National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, and the Cambodian Boules and Petanque Federation there to welcome her. 
However, NOCC General Secretary Vath Chamroeun told the Post before he departed to welcome Ke Leng at the airport that “by winning a gold medal . . . Ke Leng brings a great honour to our country,” and that her win “also salvages our country’s image after we failed to win any gold medals at the SEA Games in Singapore.’’
He also added that: “According to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recommendations, we will organise an official reception party event for her in the coming days.”

La Boule D'Or - San Francisco


"Les Paniers des Noel"

Sunday, Dec 6, 2015
Sign up before 10:30
Games begin 11 AM
Carrousel Doubles / 4 games
$8.00 to play in the tournament.
Golden Gate Park / 36th & Fulton
Info: Alain 209-251-9157

Bring your own lunch and join us for a day of petanque in Golden Gate Park.



Friday, September 11, 2015

Narin Garrett

Narin GARRETT



GARRETT, Narin May 9, 1979 - September 4, 2015 Narin Garrett, 36, passed away unexpectedly on September 4, 2015 in Sonoma, CA. She was born on May 9, 1979 in San Francisco to Robert and Yupa Garrett. Growing up, Narin was an accomplished equestrian and played many sports including both soccer and volleyball. She moved with her family to Sonoma in 1991; and, later attended Johnson and Wales University where she pursued her passion in culinary arts. After University, Narin returned to help run the family restaurant, "Rin's Thai", on Sonoma square. Narin was a world-class Petanque player, well-loved by all in the town of Sonoma. It was here that she met the love of her life, Ryan Tatarian. Ten years later they started their beautiful family; and, are blessed with a precious boy, Zaven (5 1/2), and beautiful girl, Natalee May (2 1/2). Family and friends fondly remember Narin's love of dogs, photography, and her kind and generous nature. She enjoyed shopping at the Chinese markets on San Francisco's Clement Street; and, connecting with her family and culture through good food and cooking. Narin is survived by: her husband, Ryan Tatarian, son of Ed (and Tish) Tatarian and the late Valerie Sereni Cannon; and her two children, Zaven and Natalee. She is greatly missed by her parents, Robert and Yupa Garrett; her brother, sister-in-law, and niece: Casey, Ali Tatarian, and Frankie. Also survived by her brothers-in-law, Jason Anderholm and Duffy (and Heather) Conneely, and their children, Bailey, Bennett and Kellan.Many friends and family love her from all over the world. Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of her life on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Duggan's Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa Street in Sonoma. Private inurnment. The family requests in lieu of flowers that a donation be made in Narin's honor to Valley Of The Moon Petanque Club, P.O. Box 863, Sonoma, CA 95476.

Monday, August 10, 2015

LPM Passing - Jean de Baere

Dear LPM Members,
Sadly, we must inform you of the passing of Jean de Baere.  While he has not been active in our club in the recent years, he was for so many years, a dedicated volunteer serving on the Board and working for the sport and the club he loved.  He was a gentle, talented, charming man.  If you  wish to share condolences with the family, you will find the information in the notice below
.

Fourth Annual Lamorinda Cup Tournament


 Click on the link for more information: Fourth Annual Lamorinda Cup Tournament

Monday, August 3, 2015

Fort Bragg Pétanque - 4th Annual Skip Wallenberg Open

Please know that we will allow signups up until 9:30 AM, the day of the tournament (this coming Saturday), seeing as petanque players seem to be prone to procrastinating. It would be useful to us if you do know of any folks headed this way to play, if you alert us at this email address or my phone number (707) 964-3211 as we will be preparing our piste this Friday. This is a 100% cash return tournament...  potluck (there is plenty of deli food available in Fort Bragg if needed) or if you prefer, bring your own lunch.

Thank you for your time

Yours...

Pete of The Noyo Yoyos.




Tuesday, July 28, 2015

LPM Passing - André Sanchou

It is with a heavy heart that LPM recognizes the passing of one of our beloved members. Andre Sanchou​ passed away a few days ago. We will miss his carefree, jovial character and his sweet, generous nature, yet his memory we carry within us will ensure that he never is truly gone.

2015 Bay Area & Beyond Interclub Tournament


Thursday, July 23, 2015

2105 LPM Calendar (revised)


Confusion Control

Fellow Pétanque Players,

There seems to be a bit of confusion regarding the tournament of select triples scheduled for this Sunday. There is NO tournament this weekend. The Inter-club tournament, to have been hosted by the Petaluma Valley Club, has been postponed and the select mixed triples has been moved to AUGUST 9. There is a flyer with more information which is forthcoming.
LPM apologises for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Below please find the most up to date calendar:


Monday, May 11, 2015


VOMPC's next tournament is the Sonoma Cup on Sunday May 24th, Memorial Day weekend.
Select triples, any combo of gals and guys, or all guys, or all gals.  
Registration is by 9:30--NOT 10am.  Cost is $45 per team.

It will be a busy day in our town, so be early for good parking.
No lunch, so bring your own food and best game for a fun day.

Once again... 9:30 registration deadline--it's a long day.

Boule on

Marco

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Sonoma Wine Country Games



Dear Pétanque Friends,

In one month Pétanque will be played for the very first time in the Wine Country Games. This program is sponsored by the Council on Aging which is the organization responsible for Meals on Wheels. This is the first time pétanque will be part of these games.

Some of the sponsors include Ricard and Wellington Vineyards! In addition to being awarded medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, there are some great prizes from our sponsors. After you register, you can enter any event for a nominal fee. Registration is $40 and the fee for pétanque is $5. There are some 20 sporting events from which to choose. The games are held over a ten day period, June 4th through the 14th. The only criteria is that you must be 50 years young or older! Saturday night there's a party with nibbles, wine and music for only $5 at Shoen Farms with all the athletes! With your registration you get a t-shirt, satchel and goodies. 

For more information on, and to register for the games, go to Sonoma Wine Country Games  

REGISTRATION CLOSES May 28th. 

Club Français de Sacramento - 6-Ball Challenge


Tuesday, March 10, 2015

LPM - New Sponsor


La Pétanque Marinière is proud to announce that the Agricultural Institute of Marin is our newest sponser. We are excited about our newly forged partnership and look forward to great things happening in the future as a result. 
Please support the Marin County Farmer's Markets when you can.