By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Putnam’s Public works Director Jerry Beausoleil.  In his high school days Beausoleil was a stalwart athlete for the Clippers.  Today he confines his athletic endeavors to playing golf at Quinnatisset Country Club.  He blew out another candle on the cake on Thursday, July 23.

Quinnatisset Country Club in Thompson held its annual club championships over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12.  The Club crowned three individuals with championship tiaras.  Chris Poblocki the former Tourtellotte Memorial High School athlete outdistanced a strong field of golfers in capturing the 2015 Club Championship.  John Smutnick sits on the championship throne in the Senior Division, while on the distaff side Anne Kelly is once again the Ladies champion.

Poblocki fired a two-day total of three under par 141 over the par 72 Quinny layout, which was in immaculate condition thanks to the fine work of Grounds Superintendent Mike Coty and his crew.  Poblocki’s closest competitor was the legendary Dave McNally who carded a total of 146, five strokes off the winning pace.  A pair of former Woodstock Academy athletes, Greg Pike and Steve Keller tied for third place at 149.

Rounding out the Top-10 finishers were Jim Colucci and former champion Al Remekie (150), Derrick Renauld (154), another former Club Champion Dale Smith (155) Paul Butkevich (155), and Alex Butensky and Ryan Willis (157).

Perennial Quinnatisset ladies’ champion Kelly proved once again that she was the best female golfer at Quinnatisset, which is more than 100 years old.  Kelly with a two-day total of 159 far outdistanced her sister in law Dee St. Onge, who was the second place finisher.  

In the Ladies First Flight competition Pam Cinami carded a 186 to walk away with the title.  The second place finisher was Joanne Crowley.

The closest competition took place in the Senior Club Championship, which was won by long ball striker Smutnick.  He posted a two-day total of 153 to escape with a one stroke victory of Walt Crabtree and Charlie Panteleakos who came in at 154.

Senior Flight results: 1st Flight – Dave Russas (161) over Dave Murphy (162); 2nd Flight – Roger Dionne (163) over Mike Bernier (164); 3rd Flight – Larry Chambers (167) over John McCormac (168); 4th Flight – Bob Viens (183); and 5th Flight – Tom Auclair (190).

95 Years Young and Smiling…

World War II veteran and Putnam’s premier “Catch-5” player Victor “Champ” Lippiello was surprised by his family and friends on Saturday, July 11 with a 95th birthday party at J.D. Cooper’s Restaurant.  Lippeillo, who was a paratrooper during WW II, remains in great physical condition by walking more than two miles every day.

His daughter, Joanne Gorham and her husband Tom orchestrated the event that included Lippiello’s granddaughter Victoria and her husband John Yaworski and his great granddaughter Josephine.

A large contingent of relatives from Buffalo, N.Y., traveled in for the celebration.  Among the members of the Buffalo group was Joseph Barrile, who for the past two seasons has served as the game-day audio coordinator for the National Football League in Buffalo.  Prior to his NFL work he held the same position for the Buffalo Bills.

Noted celebrities among the crowd included former Connecticut Deputy Secretary of State Bernard “Benny” Auger of Marlborough.  Putnam Lodge of Elks members who helped Lippiello celebrate the special occasion included Raymond Navarro, Richard Preble, David and Mike Coderre and neighbors Leo Guevremont and Dennis Donovan.

Lippiello was in rare form when he traded barbs with those in attendance who enjoyed roasting the nonagenarian.

TriTown Player in Showcase Game

Showcase baseball games are an opportunity for college coaches and scouts to get a glimpse of high school and American Legion players as they prepare to take the next step in their educational careers.  The 2015 Rawlings Showcase was held on Tuesday, July 7 on Savin Field on the campus of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain.

The TriTown American Legion Baseball team had a representative in the person of pitcher/shortstop Nicholas Foucault.  He played in a 12:30 p.m. contest on the team composed of players from Zones IV and VI.  Foucault had the opportunity to throw two innings and play some shortstop in the game.

Foucault who is entering his senior year at Putnam High School is also a soccer player for the Clippers.  He’s the son of John and Pam Foucault of Putnam.

New Track and Turf Field 

Coming Soon

Marianapolis Prep School in Thompson is generally recognized for its academic excellence.  In recent years its athletic program has produced competitive teams in soccer, basketball, baseball and softball.  In the near future the student body of approximately 400 will be the beneficiary of a state-of-the-art track and turf field.

In an announcement from Head of School Joe Hanrahan plans for a track and turf field, which will cost approximately $1.8 million, were recently unveiled and ground broken for the facility.  The multi-use turf field officially broke ground on July 2 with the announcement that the facility will be used for boys’ and girls’ soccer and lacrosse, while the track will offer enhanced opportunities for track and field teams.

“It is truly historic event for Marianapolis.  With the continued support of alumni, family, friends and community members, we were able to raise the necessary funds to begin construction on the track and field.  I could not be prouder that our students will be able to participate in the sports that they love, here on campus,” said Hanrahan.

Head track coach David DiCicco noted that the addition of the track and turf field allows for the continued growth of athletic programs at Marianapolis especially track and field teams.  In the past track and field athletes had to spend valuable time traveling to off-site facilities to practice.  It will also allow Marianapolis to host meets on campus.

“The turf field will provide greater flexibility for all five soccer teams as well as both lacrosse teams.  Fewer games will be rained out and all spring teams will be able to start practices earlier this season.  The construction of the track and field begins a new era for all Marianapolis Prep athletic programs,” said longtime Athletic Director Eric Gustavson.

The field portion of the project has an estimated completion date of November 2015 and the 400M track will be finished in time for the 2016 spring season.  

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Games lubricate the body and the mind.”  Benjamin Franklin

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