By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to old friend Dick Loomis.  A former Putnam High School football lineman, Loomis restricts his current athletic endeavors to fishing, hiking and an occasional round of golf.  Loomis blew out an unknown number of candles on the cake on July 30.

A contingent of 43 golfers from Pomfret and the surrounding area trekked to Keene, N.H., for the 12th Annual Red Robbins Memorial Tournament.  The group was treated to a beautiful, fun-filled day on the South Course at Bretwood Golf Club according to the contingent’s unofficial scribe Mary Thomas.

It’s an understatement to say that the foursomes were evenly matched as five teams finished with identical scores of 11 under par.  Based on matching cards the foursome of Bob Willis, David Perron, Glenn Ellsworth and Paula Cathell was declared the winner.  Second place went to Greg Pike, Dan Ledogar, Stu Cathell and first time participant David Smutnick.  The show place went to the group of John Smutnick, Justin Loura, and Skip and Chris Ayers.

Closest-to-the-pin winners were Derrick Renaud (3rd hole); Ellsworth (#7); Jason Smutnick (#12); and Stu Cathell (#16).  The skins pot was divided by the foursomes of Don Pike, Jim and Donna Bartolomei and Jason Smutnick and the group of Ryan Willis, Ryan Auger, Ed Perron and PJ Smutnick.

The Mayor’s Award in honor of Bobby Ellsworth was presented to Don Pike, while the Anchor Award was won by the foursome of Fran Baranski, Bob Auger, John Rogers and Donna Lefevre.  

The entire group paid tribute to a pair of its regulars, Milt Rollinson and Stan Sheldon who died this year.

The group is so enthused about the trip; they’ve already planned the 2015 trek to the northlands for July 9th.

Aces in the Hole

It may be the recent hot weather or maybe there’s something in the drinking water but the local golfers are enjoying an unusual streak of holes-in-one.  Two more aces were reported this week.

Adam Shaw, one of the finest young men to ever graduate from Putnam High School, recorded the first hole-in-one of his golf career.  

Playing golf since he was 9 years old, Shaw added a little pizzazz to his ace.  In typical Shaw fashion it wasn’t a routine ace on a par three.  

“The shot,” as it was described by those who witnessed the historic event, was made on the par-4, 8th hole at Harrisville Golf Club, which measured 250 yards.  He used his driver for “the shot” that took place on Thursday, July 17.

Shaw’s playing partners, who witnessed the event, were Treavor Smith, Colt Foley and Michael “Artie” Artiaco.  As Artiaco said, “Shaw is in an elite group of golfers who can say they have made a double eagle or an albatross.”

Another young man (ahem), A. David Babbitt who’s been playing in the Thompson Lions League for well over 40 years, also recorded the first hole-in-one of his career.  His ace took place on the par-3, 17th hole at Raceway Golf Club in Thompson, which was playing 145 yards.  

Babbitt used his trusty 4-utility club and was hitting a Titleist NXT for his historic shot.  Witnesses to Babbitt shot were his partners Ron LaFleur, Ron Brissette and Steve Smith.

Babbitt gave credit for the success of the league to the late Jim Naum and to Dave Johnson who is currently running the operation.

Former St. Joe’s Hoop 

Standout Visiting Area

A recent visitor to northeastern Connecticut was Jack McDermott, former basketball standout at the now shuttered St. Joseph’s High School in N. Grosvenordale.  

During his high school hoop career McDermott helped to lead tiny St. Joe’s to many upset victories over opponents with much larger enrollments.

Today McDermott resides in California outside the San Francisco area, where he’s retired from an enjoyable and rewarding lengthy career in education.  

The 1965 St. Joe’s graduate is enjoying retirement playing golf and volunteering at non-profit organizations.  Every year he mans the 17th hole at scenic Pebble Beach for the annual PGA Pro-Am event, which he describes as “fabulous duty.”  Look for him on television next year.

Happy Anniversary

If you see former Putnam Police Chief Ed Perron or his wife Caroline Perron in the next week jot yourself a note to wish them a Happy Anniversary.  The Perrons will celebrate 53 years of wedded bliss on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

“The Chief,” who has been retired eight years, is a 1960 co-captain of the Putnam High School Clipper football team.  He is remembered as one of Putnam’s fiercest linemen ever.  Mrs. Perron has been a fixture in the Mayor’s office for many years.  She’s often referred to as “Mrs. Mayor.”

Fathers and Sons on the Links

The 78th Connecticut State Golf Association Father & Son Championship was played on Wednesday, July 9 at Lyman Orchards Golf Course in Middlefield.  The one-day event was won by Chris and William Simone with a 2-under par 70.

The local father-son twosome of William MacNicki  Sr. and Will MacNicki Jr. represented the Northeast well with a score of 83.  William, Sr. plays out of Mohegan Sun at Pautipaug and Will, Jr., who can be found in the kitchen at Someplace Special Restaurant in Putnam, is a member at Harrisville Golf Club.  

Field Hockey Revolution at Pomfret School

Revolution Field Hockey Camps will hold a pre-season camp at Pomfret School from Sunday, Aug. 3 to Wednesday, Aug. 6.  The program for players ages 10 through 18 is run by elite coaches.  The residential camp is $535 and the day program is $435.

Jaime Ginberg, head coach at Smith College, is the program director.  Pomfret School coach Louisa Jones is the site director.  

Anyone wishing more information should contact Jones at 860 963-5295.  To register, call 800 944-7112 or visit www.FHcamps.com. 

RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: Along the way, remember to have fun.

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