The Edmonds Petanque Club works actively as part of its mission to support the community of Edmonds. Perhaps the most significant annual event that accomplishes this goal is the Food Bank Tournament held in late August or early September. Dick Van Hollebeke, early club member and former EPC Board member, originated the idea of supporting the food bank, and the tournament is now held in Dick’s memory and to honor his work in the community. The tournament itself draws competitors from clubs across the NW region and is organized as a full day of petanque action among select doubles teams. Most important, after tournament expenses have been met, all proceeds from tournament registrations, from fund-raising raffles, and from donations by club members and town merchants are donated to the Edmonds Food Bank. In 2021, the one-day EPC Food Bank Tournament raised $12,500. Since its inception in 2011, the Edmonds Petanque Club has contributed a total of $53,633 to this important cause.

In mid-July, the Edmonds Petanque Club celebrates French Independence Day by holding the annual Bastille Day Tournament. This tournament is organized as a “panache” or “carousel” event, in which each participant is paired randomly with a different player for each of four matches. Thus, first-time players may find themselves enjoying the partnership of seasoned veterans, and players from many of the regional clubs are mixed and paired with each other. The day offers a fantastic chance to learn the game and make new friends. At lunch a French accordion player circulates among the picnic tables to provide that French ambiance that everyone enjoys. Fundraising raffles and auctions are held to raise money for the club; and at the end of the day, a shooting competition draws the sharpshooters from the crowd with a chance for the most accurate shooter to win a substantial prize. Bastille Day is the perfect blend of good fun and competition.

Each spring the petanque season begins with the EPC League, which takes place from April to June. At stake is the Chris Guitton Trophy, awarded to the outstanding doubles team for the season. Over the course of two months, teams of two players compete in a round-robin series of matches at the Edmonds Petanque terrains and keep close track of games won and points scored. A match consists of two games, which result in three points being awarded. The winner of each game earns one point, and a third point is awarded to the team scoring the larger total number of points in the match. For instance, if teams split the two games they play against each other, each earns a point for their win; and the team whose total points are greater takes the a second point. In the case of a tie, each team earns 1.5 points. At the end of the League, the team with the most points is declared the champion. To top off the League season, all teams take place in a one-day elimination tournament in early June. There is nothing like a good League match to rouse the competitive spirit. Typically 12-14 teams take part each season, and the action is intense.

For more information about how the league works, visit the EPC League page