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Golf Tournament
Left to right: Post #13 Commander Alan R. Joslin, Brian Davis, Bruce Briere and Jon Stringer. Courtesy photos.
A record $20,000 was raised with the third edition of the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 Golf Tournament Sept. 23 at Connecticut National Golf Club. Some 120 golfers took part.
In 2019 the American Legion national organization and Post #13 will be celebrating their 100th anniversary. The American Legion was started in 1919 shortly after the end of World War I. Post #13 is one of the oldest Posts in existence in the United States.
Started in 2016 to support the numerous projects for veterans, youth and education that are part of the Post’s mission, the tournament hosted some 120 golfers — the largest field in its brief three year existence. It also attracted the most number of sponsors since its onset.
The 2018 championship foursome, Kevin Marcoux, Chad Neal, Gary Brine and Jack Cochran, all members of the Killingly High School football coaching staff, was on fire from the first tee throughout the 18-hole event. They posted a winning score of 11 under par 60 on the par 71 CNGC scenic layout.
The group was elated over its victory and celebrated by sipping libations from the traveling Championship Trophy, which will remain in their possession until next year’s tournament.
The runner-up position went to the group of Tom Auclair, Paul Leduc, Marc Allard and Larry Ring. They bested third-place finishers Roger Franklin, Neil Bernier, Duke Parziale and Rob Loomis. Both foursomes finished with identical scores of 61, one stroke off the winning pace. The finish was determined by matching scores over the final nine holes of play with the Auclair foursome shooting a 31 on the back nine.
The co-ed championship title was claimed by the foursome of Bob and Deb Darigan and Curtis and Mya Rodowicz, representing Colonial Health and Rehab of Plainfield. They shot a 67 in the scramble format event.
“It was great to see so many golfer turn out in support of our veteran legionnaires. Our Post has been working diligently to establish itself as a community partner in the greater Putnam area. The success of this tournament is evidence that people recognize and appreciate the many projects we initiate and conduct every year,” said tournament chairman Ronald P. Coderre.
The closest to the pin winners were Greg Anderson on the 4th hole; Bill Neilson (7th); Marc Allard (9th); Jack Cochran (11th); and Heath Meagher (15th).
“Thanks to the many groups who played a vital role in this tournament, we have achieved the biggest financial goal in our history,” said Post Commander Alan Joslin.
“Our tournament and major sponsors along with our numerous tee sponsors made the difference in our success. Thanks also to golfers, volunteers and the ladies who made the baskets for our raffle,” concluded Joslin.
The tournament sponsor was bankHometown of Putnam. The tourney attracted nine major sponsors including Gerardi Insurance Services, The G-Seven Caterers, Fluid Coating Technology, Colonial Health & Rehab of Plainfield, Weiss, Hale & Zahansky, Byrnes Agency Insurance, RPC Associates Ron and Donna Coderre, The Jeff Bond Family and Lamoureux Ford of East Brookfield, Mass. The tourney also enjoyed a record number, 47 tee sponsors.