New Bocce Ball Courts at Desert Mountain Club
and a Growing Community of Players

The expansion of courts reflects the growing popularity of the classic game, driving connection, community, and friendly competition among Members.

Elevating the Bocce Ball Experience

Two new courts were added to the space at Seven Clubhouse, bringing all four courts to a uniform size that aligns with regulation dimensions. Spectator seating and a railing above the courts provide Members with an opportunity to watch the action while dining or stopping by. Court seating and scoreboards were strategically positioned to enhance the playing experience, allowing players to watch teammates from either end of the courts while maintaining dedicated space along the sides for game management and officiating.  

Expanded lighting and sound systems further enhance the visibility and functionality. The courts overlook the No. 7 Golf Course – paired with mountain views adding to the serenity of the space. Meanwhile, two bocce ball courts remain at Sonoran Clubhouse, giving Members a variety of environments to play in.

A Boom in Bocce Ball on the Mountain

Bocce ball brings in about 830 players in the fall season and jumps to roughly 1,100 in the spring at Desert Mountain. That is up nearly 765% from the first season in fall of 2018, when there were 96 players. There are two types of leagues – each fit for different style players: competitive and social. The Club runs a third summer league for Members who want to keep playing during the off-season.

A Classic Game that Drives Connection

For many Members, bocce ball league serves as another social hub to see familiar faces and meet new Members. Patty and Stef Cugno, who have been Members at Desert Mountain Club for six years, went to a New Member event when they first joined. That is where they put together a team of strangers who they now call their dearest friends.

“It really is an athletic event, but it is social. As your team gets better, it brings you together, and certainly some of your biggest rivals, the teams that you’re always battling, respect you for that, and then we become good friends with a lot of those people too,” Stef Cugno said.

For Members who can’t play golf or racquet sports, bocce ball offers an alternative activity that is less physically demanding. For Anita Wallace, who has been a Member of Desert Mountain Club for 27 years, it also serves up a healthy dose of competition.

“Sometimes, you can get a little worked up over the game. But you have to remember, it’s just bocce and it is just fun,” Wallace said. “Bocce you can play at night. So, we can either sit home, and drink wine and watch TV, or we’ll come here and have a glass of wine and play bocce with our friends together.”