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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to former Quinnatisset Country Club Pro Shop assistant Ryan Salvas. Since graduating from college Salvas doesn’t have as much time on the links but his game is still pretty special. Belated Happy Birthday wishes, Ryan.
The Norwich Invitational took place July 20 and 21 at the Norwich Golf Club. This was the 87th year that this venerable event has taken place. It’s one of Connecticut’s most cherished and respected tournaments with players entering from throughout the region. Every year there are also many former area golfers who return from throughout the country.
Northeastern Connecticut was well represented in the qualifying field with more than 20 golfers from local courses dotting every flight from the Championship through the fifth flight. Aaron Vargas and Joey Derrico qualified for the Championship Flight as did defending champion Kevin Marcoux, who was an automatic second seed based on last year’s performance.
The 1st Flight was represented by A.J. Siekierski and last year’s defending Quinnatisset Club Champion Bill Poirier. Spencer Salvas, Brian Bardier (a former Norwich Invite champ), Cody Semmelrock, Bret Siekierski and Mike Papuga also qualified in the first. The 2nd Flight had some familiar names including Fletcher Babcock, Ryan Willis, Greg Pike, George Dumas and Matt Papuga.
The 3rd Flight featured the Aitken brothers, Drew and John, Mike Danielson, Rocky Bedard and Bill Hanley. Andrew Senecal, Jeff Clang, Jr., Andrew Bardier and Dave Bellisle competed in the 5th Flight.
When the dust settled on Sunday Babcock, who plays out of Connecticut National Golf Club, was the lone local to come home with a title. He captured the crown by besting his friend Willis in a match that went 19 holes. Babcock beat Chris Healy and Willis defeated Matt Papuga to get to the finals.
Semmelrock, the former Woodstock Academy and current Williams College golfer, reached the finals by beating Bret Siekierski, while Siekierski’s brother A.J. lost at the hands of John Jackopsic. In the final, Semmelrock fell 4 and 2 to Jackopsic. Dave Bellisle made it to the semifinals of the 5th Flight, where he was beaten 1 up by eventual flight winner Ryan Lefevre.
Dan Hendrickson, a former Norwich Free Academy golfer who lives in North Carolina, came home to win the overall championship 2 and 1 over Adam Vaccari.
Connecticut Open…
The 79th Connecticut Open featuring the pedigree amateurs and pros in the state was contested last week at Torrington Country Club. Listed in the field was Thompson’s Matt Smith, last year’s Connecticut Amateur Champion and former member and captain of the University of Hartford Hawks golf team. Smith, who played out of Quinnatisset Country Club, currently spends his winters in Florida honing his game as he attempts to go to Q School and hopefully qualify for the web.com Tour.
In the opening round of the Open, Smith was slotted with Cody Paladino and Tom McDonough. Among the noted names in the event were former tennis great Ivan Lendl and ex-PGA player Ken Green, who now plays with a prosthesis after losing his leg in a tragic automobile accident.
Walkers and Runners Take Note…
It’s hard to believe but true, the 24th Deary Memorial 5-Mile Road Race is scheduled for Aug. 10. The event, which features something healthy for everyone, sets off at 6 a.m. with the 5-Mile Early Bird Walk followed by the 5-Mile Fun Walk at 8 a.m. At 8:15 a.m. the Cycling Time Trials/Recreational Ride will spin out of the J.D. Cooper’s starting blocks. The feature of the morning, the 5-Mile Road Race is fired off at 9:05 a.m. with a live broadcast by WINY Radio Sports. While the big boys are making their way through the streets of Putnam, the Kid’s Fun Run will take place at 9:15 a.m.
Participants are urged to preregister now at www.daykimball.org/deary or by mailing a registration form to Day Kimball Hospital/Development Office, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260-0632. Beginning Aug. 1 the entry fee is $30. All runners or walkers who raise more than $50 in pledges will receive a free Race/Walk entry.
Calling Centaur Golfers…
Quinnatisset Country Club will host the initial Centaur Classic Golf Tournament Aug. 12. The tourney benefits Woodstock Academy Athletics for improvement to athletic facilities.
Entry fee is $125 per golfer or $500 per foursome. It includes the usual amenities golf with cart, food and beverage all day, a gift for each golfer and prizes and raffles. Special contests will feature long drive, closest to the pin, and hole-in-one automobile. Registration is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with a shot gun start at 10 a.m. Anyone interested in registering or looking for more information should visit woodstockacademy.org or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or snail mail Centaur Classic Golf Tournament, 57 Academy Road, Woodstock, CT 06281. Sponsorship opportunities are available from Tee Sponsor ($100) to Title Sponsor ($5000).
From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History…
September 1915: Cannonball Redding, famous black pitcher, pitched a few games in Putnam. (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.