TOURNAMENT BIO

Bocce Awareness Thanks to Palazzo di Bocce.

Established in 2006 Palazzo introduced the sport of bocce to people of all ages. The largest and most elaborate sports facility of its kind has been affording many seniors anew.

Safe indoor activity, in addition a place for family gatherings and a unique option for team building. It also allows amateurs a training facility to achieve any level of play. We are proud to be the training facility of the first and second place players in the USA and second best (Silver medalist) player in the world!

A surge of clubs forming across the USA has started and Palazzo di Bocce was and continues to be the elite. Parks, community centers and senior facilities are making way for bocce courts. Although Italy has been years ahead, Palazzo di Bocce continues to be the strong force in the USA.

Palazzo doesn’t seem to have a limit of hosting events! Either hosting socials, seniors, Special Olympics, regional, United States and World tournaments are all founded on the passion of bocce. Because of his love for bocce, Tony created the “Palazzo di Bocce International Invitational Tournament” with large cash prizes.

The thrill starts with the invitation list and the players anticipation. Welcoming the current top ranked players from around the world to our community brings a unique experience for everyone. Spectator support and excitement has grown and demands continuation.

July 21-July 23, 2022, Palazzo di Bocce and Oakland County Commissioners welcome players coming from across the globe to play in our 2nd International Invitational Tournament in Lake Orion, (Oakland County) Michigan.

Tony Battaglia’s Bio

Tony and his wife Marcia live in Oakland Township.

Tony started working in his father’s cement business as a teen. Pat Battaglia Inc. was well known in the Detroit area. Then in the late seventies he and a colleague opened Anthony-Bennett construction, which went on to purchase Cunningham-Limp. Developing hundreds of projects in the Auburn Hills area and across the country. Tony retired in 1999 and soon decided he needed another project.

Palazzo di Bocce:

Palazzo di Bocce combines an upscale atmosphere, fine Italian food and the casual, social aspect of the sport of Bocce.

The design gives visitors the feeling of “being in Italy” before they even enter the facility. At 32,000 square feet, the interior space simulates an Italian Palazzo.

The building has ten competition size bocce courts with an Italian dining room and a courtyard style area used primarily for special events. The inclusiveness of bocce, combined with the exceptional value provided by Palazzo di Bocce, makes this a one-of-a kind concept.

Bocce:

Throwing an object toward a target is the oldest game known to humankind.

The game made its way from Egypt to Greece. The version of the game resembling what we know as Bocce today was refined by the early Romans.

The first Bocce clubs were organized in Italy in 1947 and marks the beginning of the early Bocce World Championships. This championship event continues today with participants from over thirty nations-including United States.

Tony’s interest in the sport started with friends after work on job sites. The thrill continued playing in backyards and clubs around the state. Time advanced his skills to become a ranked player winning a silver medal in the US Championships.

Then being a senior player and retiring from his construction firm opened possibilities. With a limited summer season, Tony was inspired to make an indoor bocce court design and with his construction talents along with his many bocce friends, fed his inspiration to the ultimate Palazzo di Bocce.