We all love our leisure time participating in activities and competitions — whether it’s chess, baseball, golf, pool, bowling or a game that incorporates aspects of all of these — petanque (pronounced “peh tonk”). If you’re unfamiliar with this sport, think of merging horseshoes with bocce ball. Petanque can be played individually or in teams of two, three, or four. Standing still with both feet together, players throw a hollow metal ball aiming at a target, a smaller ball the size of a cherry tomato, referred to as “the little pig.” The first team to accumulate 13 points wins the match.

The Petanque Club at Cross Creek RV Resort holds a tournament every month. Observing these matches is as entertaining as playing. Since the lead team can suddenly fall behind, the competition is never over until the last ball is thrown. According to Guy Cameron, President of the Petanque Club, the game is open to anyone since no special skills are required and a certain amount of luck is always involved.