It's one of the world's oldest sports and, many say, one of the easiest to play. So when offered the chance to play bocce and raise money for a local Staten Island hospital, more than 150 people turned out to compete. NY1's Amanda Farinacci filed the following report.

With plenty of enthusiasm, if not much skill, more than 150 people turned out Monday for a bocce tournament to help Staten Island University Hospital.

"They don't know what they're doing. But they're going to learn. They're here to have fun," said Tony Buccacavole of the Staten Island Bocce Clu.

An Old School European sport with deep Italian roots, bocce is not played that much anymore. But when the hospital held its first bocce fundraiser last year, the response was overwhelming. Monday's tournament even had a wait list and is expected to be the hospital's biggest fundraiser of the year.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan and a who's who of local elected officials took turns tossing the bocce ball, trying to get as close as possible to the small ball, called a pallino.

"First of all, I'd do anything for Staten Island. Secondly, I'd do anything for health care. And thirdly, I happen to like bocce," Dolan said.

With just two private hospitals serving the entire borough, residents here often have to travel outside of Staten Island for treatment. Staten Island University Hospital is hoping to change that by expanding its breast imaging center and building a pediatric oncology unit.

Organizers were hoping the event would bring in $200,000.

"The money's going to go to different charities in the organization," said Nicholas Caruselle of Staten Island University Hospital. "Maybe pediatrics, maybe our emergency room, maybe labor and delivery. Wherever the money is needed."

Most of those who turned out for the tournament were playing bocce for the first time. That meant they had some interesting strategies for how they planned on winning.

"I just aim for the small ball and throw it the best I can," said bocce player Josephine Cupo.

"Slow, steady pace," said Ron Castorina, another player. 

"Go last," Dolan said.