Dženan Karabegović
Dzenan was a member of a group of bocce enthusiasts who used to gather on North Beach and play bocce on an improvised grass court. In mid-summer 2006, a call was published in the Burlington Free Press, at the initiative of retired UVM professor Zander Ponza and Dan Cahill, head of the Sports Program at Parks & Rec, for the formation of a bocce club within the Adult Sports Program.
The group of bocce enthusiasts answered the call, and in the fall of 2006 Bocce Club was registered with Parks and Recreations Department. In agreement with the Departement, in Spring 2007 construction of two bocce courts was initiated with active contribution in construction by the twenty members of the Bocce Club. Official ribbon cutting of the courts was in August 2007 by Parks and Recreations Department superintendent, Bob Whalen.
Dzenan was one of the original members of the club, and a lot of current club members have had a chance to meet and play with or against Dzenan. He participated in many tournaments over the years with a lot of success. His name can be found throughout the tournament winners, most notably being the first recorded State Champion, back in 2009.
Unfortunately, Dzenan sadly left us in the spring of 2024.
Dzenan’s contribution to development of bocce in Burlington was significant and it could not have been done without him. His contributions will always be remembered and appreciated.
