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'Ace'

James “Jim” Dandeneau, right, received the Ace-in-the-Hole Award at the Putnam Rotary Club's Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament. Golf tournament chairman Marc Archambault is at left. 

 

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

The Putnam Rotary Club Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament came up aces in more ways than one as a full field of 36 foursomes teed off to benefit the clubs charitable endeavors.  The initial indication that it would be a success was a perfect day for golf as the weatherman cooperated with sunshine and mild temperatures.

The program got off with words of thanks from golf tournament chairman Marc Archambault and Rotary Club President Rande Chmura.  The tourneys namesake, Ronald P. Coderre then recognized the 2015 Ace-in-the-Hole Award recipient James “Jim” Dandeneau.

Dandeneau, the owner of Putnam Plastics and Connecticut National Golf Club, was selected because of his philanthropic endeavors, not only to local non-profits but also for his generosity to his employees and individuals in the community in need.

“Jim Dandeneau is a generous individual who humbly supports many worthwhile causes.  Everything he does comes from his heart with very little if any recognition.  In selecting him for this award the Rotary Club has recognized the ideal candidate,” said Coderre.

Out on the course, which was perfectly manicured, the foursome of Jeff Clang, John and Drew Aitken and Bob Bernier burned the 18-hole layout firing a near perfect 18 under par.  The winners ran away from the field, leaving their closest competitors in the dust five strokes off the pace.

Two foursomes tied at minus 13 with the group of Mike, Jared and Brendan Meehan and Lynn Converse finishing second by virtue of matching cards.  They edged out third place finishers Brandon Carita, Trevor Smith, Scott Johndrow and Jay Gerum.

The foursome of Greg Anderson, Ken Blackmer, Wesley Santillo and Ian Shippee captured the net competition with a calculated score of 45.22.  The second-place finishers were George Lovell, Steve Keene, Lee Post and John Navarro at 46.55.  The show place went to the groups of Kevin Holbrook, Jeff Miranda, Jason Kim and K.U. Kim with an adjusted score of 47.95.

In the closest-to-the-pin competition Dave Huth was the winner on the 4th hole, John Aitken on the 7th, Jeff Miranda 9th, Zach Morin 11th and Nelson “Buzz’ King #15th.  The skins game, good for $500 was split by two foursomes.  The foursome of Bill Loos, Matt Gerardi, Mike Fredrickson and Scott Belanger captured half of the pot with an eagle on the par 4, 8th hole.  The other winning group was Lovell, Keene, Post and Navarro.  They recorded an eagle on the par 5, 18th hole.

“We’re very pleased with the entire day.  From start to finish everything went very smoothly.  Thanks to everyone who sponsored and participated we enjoyed the most successful tournament in the long history of this event,” said Archambault.

According to preliminary estimates, this year’s tournament broke all previous records, netting more than $36,000.  The proceeds will support the $14,000 in scholarship that the club distributes to students from schools in the towns of Putnam, Thompson, Woodstock, Pomfret and Eastford.  The Putnam Rotary Club also supports a variety of local non-profits and international projects around the world.

“As I end my term as president I’m pleased that once again our club will distribute thousands of dollars to numerous worthy organizations.  It’s another demonstration of the motto of Rotary, which is ‘Service Above Self.’  I’d also like to thank the large number of volunteers who helped to make this day run so smoothly,” said Chmura.

Working with Chmura and Archambault was tournament co-chairman Shawn McNerney.