Webster Senior Bocce Club and The Challenger Miracle Field partnership to grow in 2019

Posted on January 29, 2019

Mr. Robert Fortman, founder of the Webster Senior Bocce Club, assures us that there are big plans in store for 2019 bocce season.

“We have three tournaments planned for 2019 to be held at Cherry Ridge, and we’ll be adding more,” assures Fortman.

The Webster Senior Bocce Club is a non-profit organization founded by Richard and Anne Fortman in 2016. When the couple moved from North Carolina to St. Ann’s Community at Cherry Ridge in Webster, NY they were searching for an organization they could support through the Bocce Club. The Fortman’s quickly identified with The Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester and chose to support their mission. The Miracle Field’s vision is simple – to provide kids and adults of all abilities the opportunity to play America’s favorite pastime. The field is designed for individuals with physical and/or cognitive challenges and is wheelchair accessible, including the restrooms, dugouts, bleachers, concession stands, and soon to be opened playground.

“We’re going to kick off the 2019 season with The Cherry Ridge Challenge, followed by a Police Department Competition, and a new tournament for 2019 featuring teams from the Miracle Field organization. All tournaments in 2019 will benefit the Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester,” says Fortman.

The winners of the 2018 Webster Senior Bocce Club season were presented with a trophy this week at a luncheon hosted by St. Ann’s Community at Cherry Ridge. Among the attendees were Richard Fortman, Anne Fortman and Pat Nichols, the 2018 champions, along with Ron Kampff and Katie Kovar, President and Director of the Miracle Field, respectively.

When we asked Anne Fortman and Pat Nichols, the dynamic female duo that remained undefeated throughout the 2018 bocce season, what their secret was, they responded, “Don’t take it too seriously – just go out there and have fun. However I think we may have to retire soon, our luck can’t go on much longer!”

As for Ron Kampff, Miracle Field President and newfound aficionado of bocce, he’s overwhelmed by the support of the Rochester community.

“This was just an idea four years ago. Our initial goal was to raise $350,000 – and as of today we’ve raised over $2.2 million. We’ve had some large donations, but we wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for the generosity of organizations like the Webster Senior Bocce Club and people like Mr. Fortman,” Says Kampff.