Monte Underwood

Two guys are making snow angels in the gravel. Wondering why? Stay tuned.

Monte and his partner have just finished playing a Sunday afternoon game pf petanque at the Civic Field, coming from behind to beat two seasoned players. It’s a high-five, fist-bumping match. Not so much the winning. Well, that, too. How great it is just being out in the fresh air, cheering opponents and partners alike. And “where you’re always interested in people making nice shots” whether it’s related to petanque or golf. You name it. This is the way Monte lives. He absolutely loves playing the game and encouraging others. He’s that kind of a fellow.

Monte worked and raised a family (son and daughter) in Ballard. Then he and his wife Ona became a blended family with her two boys. Now he and Ona live on Camano Island. A small power boat keeps Monte busy from July to December each year with crabbing. The crabs are Dungeness caught on Skagit Bay.

Monte underway on Puget Sound near Camano

Monte has played petanque for almost ten years, eight of which while living in Walla Walla. The Walla Walla Petanque Club uses the terrains located at Patterson Cellars Winery. Although Monte is not much into tournaments, he has played in several yet prefers recreational play. This year his repertoire included Bastille Day where he played with Mari. They lost to Larry and his teammates. This loss took both out of contention. Like the EPC, the Walla Walla club hosts a Foodbank Tournament, which was one of Monte’s favorite events over there in wine country. In April Monte played in Edmonds’ Pro-Am where he, as the Pro, played with Mike Glenn, his Amateur partner. Monte and Mike finished second. Woo-Hoo!

There is a petanque court located on Camano. Monte, Leon, Larry and Jim got together once upon a time and enjoyed each other’s company on that court. It’s no surprise that the terrain is located at Monte’s place where, what you wanna bet, hospitality reigns.

What the Good Life looks like if you enjoy Dungeness crabs as Monte does

Back in 2015 when Monte first moved to Walla Walla and bought a place, he met Marvin Wood who encouraged him to join the petanque club and proceeded to teach him to play the game. They became close friends. Marv was a card, and every time he did well, he’d dance a little jig. Such candor took any tension out of the game, making it more relaxing and even more enjoyable. Monte misses his friend who passed in 2020 and who inspired not only Monte but also a host of other players. Like his friend, Monte enjoys coaching, and some Edmonds club members have benefited from his easy manner of pointing out strengths and offering suggestions on other approaches. It’s his way of encouraging friends and getting them to thrive while playing.

In the 2019 Walla Walla Wine Country Tournament, Monte and playing partner Leslie Barton played against Jeff Brann and Chris Crites of the Seattle Petanque Club. A tight and up-for-grabs game. Jeff and Chris prevailed. Of course, Monte and Leslie, being good sports, congratulated their opponents. Being free-spirited players, Jeff and Chris promptly threw themselves onto the gravel and proceeded with carving “snow” angels! Now, you’re getting the picture.

Next time you’re feeling wild after doing well – dance a jig, do the angel thing, or grab your partner for a do-si-do!

Jeri Lockhart

Great Britain or France?

That is the question when you consider where the Isle of Guernsey is located. You would be correct if you said The English Channel. More specifically, Guernsey, Jersey, and other islands, known as tThe Channel Islands, are, indeed, located in the English Channel, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean, separating the southern coast of England from Normandy, off the northern coast of France.

One amazing thing about Guernsey is that over the first weekend of September of this year they hosted Jeri and husband, Doug, and others who enjoyed playing in the Guernsey Petanque Association (GPA) Tournament located in St. Peter Port, Isle of Guernsey. Among the attendees were our own Mike and Michelle Martin and Jean-Marc Fosseux, the Martins’ friend from France.

The five friends stayed at a self-catered, vacation rental: Jeri and Doug in a one bedroom with a bath and laundry, while Mike and Michelle and Jean Marc occupied a two-bedroom unit.

Jeri remarked that the people of Guernsey were warm and welcoming. The Guernsey Petanque Association (GPA) owns the property where the courts are located. The players are mostly retirees and working people. What their club has that we don’t is indoor play at the Greenhouse. This is a huge place, a former greenhouse, that accommodated the tournament on the third day due to rain. Rain! Well! That’s just like home! Wouldn’t you love a greenhouse to play in during the winter months.

Don’t you love geography? Especially when you’re traveling to a new place and want to get acquainted with where in the world we are off to now?

As you now know, Guernsey is located just a few miles off the coast of Normandy, which suggests a French influence. Yes – the people of Guernsey spoke French until 1948 when the official language changed to English. Some seasoned folk still slip back into their old dialect. Why not preserve the past, so that the future generations can look back and honor those things that have brought them to where they are?

Another historical note is that Victor Hugo, author of Les Misérables lived in exile in Guernsey from 1856 to 1870. His home is still there and became a museum after his grandchildren donated it. The interesting anomaly is that Hugo, by his own hand, decorated every square inch of fabric and wallpaper from the edge of each wall to the next. Throughout the house, each room is lavishly and colorfully embellished.

Jeri and Doug live in Innis Arden. Some of you will fondly remember being invited by the Lockharts to play petanque at the Innis Arden petanque courts when the Edmonds Civic Field was under construction. Thanks again to Jeri and Doug for hosting us many times during that time of transition.

Jeri and Doug have a daughter who lives in New York. She and her fiancé’ recently visited, and the foursome did some fun things in the area. One thing they immensely enjoyed was a hot air balloon ride out of the Auburn area. The weather cooperated, and they loved the wonderful view.

Jeri’s heart swells with a special sense of belonging when she thinks of being a part of the Edmonds Petanque Club. She shares her many gifts with us. She is a consummate baker who delivers luscious cookies, bread, and other delightful concoctions to friends at the courts. And of course, petanque, is one of her favorite things to do. Jeri loves that together with Doug she has grown in her knowledge and expertise in playing the game by practicing her stance and demeanor, so that consistency is key to her skill. This way of playing came in handy during tournament play.

Stay tuned for more on the Guernsey and its influence when Doug is featured in an upcoming Profile in Petanque.

After Guernsey, Jeri and Doug visited Dublin, Ireland, where they hunted up the local petanque club, played some Irish petanque and collected this handsome pin from the Irish Petanque Association