By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to another former Putnam High School standout athlete Richard “Dick” Blake.  During his heyday as a Clipper, Blake was one of the toughest competitors ever seen on the Putnam fields and courts.  In real life he enjoyed a distinguished career as a Connecticut State trooper.  Blake celebrated another year of life on September 19.

In the past 15 or so years Northeastern Connecticut has produced its fair share of outstanding golfers.  Initially Tourtellotte Memorial High School produced Matt Smith and most recently has witnessed some great golf from the sticks of Mike Jezierski.  Putnam under the guidance of veteran coach Jim Bartolomei had it share of championship teams and stellar club swingers.

Coach Rich Garceau at Woodstock Academy has been the beneficiary of a litany of talented linksters who have passed through the ranks of the Centaur golf teams.  Among the most talented golfers under Garceau’s tutelage was Cody Semmelrock.

During his years at Woodstock Semmelrock was a better than average basketball player who possessed deadly accuracy from three-point range.  Semmelrock who possessed good golf genes, inherited from his dad, Earl made bigger headlines however, with his play on the links.  Fortunately for Semmelrock he was also an outstanding student in the classroom, which earned him admission to prestigious Williams College.

As a student at Williams College, Semmelrock continued to shine in the classroom, while playing basketball and becoming one of the best golfers ever produced by the Ephs.

Semmelrock received his degree from Williams College this spring and following a careful year of deliberation has decided to follow a dream he’s had since he was a youngster.  He’s on a journey to become a professional golfer, although he realizes the odds are great and the grind ahead will be physically and mentally exhausting.  He recognizes that every young golfer who contemplates attempting this dream faces the same challenges.

In making this journey a little less excruciating, Semmelrock has teamed up with his good friend, college teammate and golf author Dylan Dethier.  The pair will be traveling together, while playing golf and caddying for each other.  The spirit they possess is the intangible they’re hoping will encourage them on their road toward the PGA Tour.

The start of the trek has taken them north of the border into Canada where Semmelrock has encountered success by qualifying to play in the first two qualifiers on the Canada PGA Tournament.  He recently played in the Cape Breton Celtic Classic presented by PC Financial.

In support of Semmelrock’s and Dethier’s venture, Semmelrock’s aunt and uncle, Kyle and Mary Ann Dostaler of MAD Communications have donated their services.  MAD has designed a website, www.thelongshottour.com, which recently went live.  The site will chronicle the pair’s life on the road as well as the people they meet along the way.

Quinnatisset Country Club, Semmelrock’s home course has joined in to assist financially.  The membership has volunteered the course for a day and will host a fund-raising tournament on his behalf as he heads south as the cold weather heads to New England.

The Long Shot Tour-Nament is scheduled for Friday, October 3 with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.  The cost of the event is $125 per golfer and includes raffle, skins, special contests, hot dogs, hamburgers and soda during play.  Following play a dinner will be held at Connecticut National Golf Club, featuring a social hour at 5 p.m. and prime rib dinner at 6 p.m.  Anyone who doesn’t play golf but wishes to attend the dinner may do so at a cost of $40 per person.

Anyone wishing to play should contact Earl Semmelrock at 860 508-9525 or the Quinnatisset pro shop 860 928-7516.  Checks should be made payable to Cody Semmelrock and mailed to Earl Semmelrock, 69 Killingly Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259.

Woodstock Grads Getting A Kick From College Soccer

A pair of former Woodstock Academy female soccer players, Andrea Plucenik and Emily Becher, enjoyed a banner week on the pitch recently on the college level.  Both Becher and Plucenik are residents of Brooklyn.

Plucenik, a UConn junior, tallied a goal in the Lady Huskies 4-0 victory over Stonybrook University of Long Island.  UConn is 4-1-1 in early season play.  Plucenik was one of the Centaurs most talented soccer players despite losing an entire season to a knee injury.

Becher, a freshman at Eastern Connecticut State University, netted the first two goals of her young collegiate career in a 2-1 victory over Albertus Magnus University.  She tallied the game winner for the Lady Warriors four minutes into sudden death overtime.  She was named the Little East Conference Rookie of the Week for her outstanding effort.

From The Where 

Are They Now Files

The Putnam High School Class of 1959 celebrated its 55th Reunion over the weekend of September 5, 6 and 7.  On hand for the weekend festivities was Peter LaBeck, who currently lives in Hilton Head, S.C.  This was LaBeck’s first trip back to his former hometown in 51 years.

The Class of ’59 had many good athletes, however LaBeck was not among the group during his high school days.  The Clippers have never had a tennis program, which was LaBeck’s sport.  He picked up his court skills from one of his junior high school teachers, the late Richard Brodeur.  As a high school student, LaBeck would be spotted on the clay courts at Roseland Park in Woodstock with his mentor.

Today LaBeck is a certified USTA professional who plays on a semi-professional doubles circuit, which travels in competition in the Carolina and Georgia area.  He’s traveled as far as California to play in doubles tournaments.  LaBeck plays out of Springlake Tennis Club.  He’s enjoyed workouts and lessons with former tennis great Stan Smith who also lives on the island.     

In his professional career LaBeck was an author’s agent working in New York City and traveling the world.  He was the youngest vice president in his company’s history and retired 18 years ago at age 55.  During his professional career he worked for such authors as Edward Albee, Neil Simon and the estate of Agatha Christie.

While in Putnam, LaBeck noted that he recently ran into Pomfret resident Dan Blackmore, who was in Hilton Head for some tennis and relaxation.

RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: “Elizabeth Taylor Fat?  Her favorite food is seconds.” The late Joan Rivers.

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