Bocce Ball is a sport which has a rich tradition and is thriving in Sun City.
According to local Sun City Bocce Ball Club enthusiasts, Bocce Ball was developed in its current form in Italy. Bocce is derived from the word “bacio” which means to kiss, which is what you try to do when you roll the Bocce balls. Bocce Ball has been documented as early as 5200 B.C. in Egypt. Bocce is the third most popular sport in the world after soccer and golf. An estimated 25 million people in the US alone play Bocce Ball.
In Del Webb Sun City Huntley, bocce ball started in 1999 with 75 charter members now growing to over 700 active members in 2026. The Club continues to have positive growth every year. The season runs from the beginning of June until the end of September. Players register for the leagues they want to play in and they can also register as a sub and get called to play on other days. Currently there are 16 leagues ranging from 24 to 48 members each and playing once a week. The schedules run Monday through Friday with leagues up to four times a day at 9 a.m, 12:30 p.m, 3:30 pm., and 6:30 p.m. The club has six outdoor Bocce Ball courts that were resurfaced in 2025.
“Bocce Ball in Sun City is a low physical impact sport which fits perfectly with Del Webb residents. It is a game one can learn in five minutes and enjoy playing all summer. The bocce ball itself weighs 2.03 lbs so really anyone can play. We do have training days at the beginning of the season to go over the rules with new players and allowing all players to roll the balls a few times,” according to a Sun City Bocce Ball Club press release.
Bocce ball play begins with rolling the white target ball, called a “pallino”. It must rest between the middle and end lines. Then both teams take turns rolling their bocce balls to get close to or “kiss” the pallino. The closest color earns points which you accumulate to win the game which is 11 points. Our leagues play three games per day. Scores are kept for the season to determine an overall winner for each league at the end of the season.
The season ends with a Sun City Bocce Ball Club tournament with each of the 16 leagues sending a champion and playing in the single elimination tournament until a winner is crowned. Many residents bring chairs and come to watch this final day of the season and cheer on their friends. There is also an end of the year celebration banquet to bring together players from all leagues to celebrate another season completed.
Sun City Bocce Ball board members are president Jon Kipp, vice president Jean Gill, secretary Barb Helfers, and treasurer Barb Colson.
“Personally, I got interested in the sport as a new Del Webb resident a few years ago and it seemed like a fun sport that I hadn’t played before,” Kipp said. “With the three other volunteer members form the current bocce ball board we oversee the overall running and rules of the club. Each of the 16 leagues has a captain who is charged with running their league and reporting to the board.”
Players all agreed bocce ball is a fun sport.
Jeff and Kim Thiel of Sun City are newcomers who like the sport.
“The game is enjoyable, something both myself and my wife play. We also bowl in the winter and were looking for something to do in the summertime,” Jeff Thiel said.
Bernie Winker is a bocce ball veteran of 20 years. He is one of the league captains.
“Our rules are to have fun, be safe, and the scores are what they are,” Winker said. “It’s the tournament at the end of the season, where the keys to winning are that both players have to be hot.”
