By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Putnam Police Chief Rick L. Hayes.  The former Putnam High School football lineman is entering his 10th year as the chief of the department.  In his spare time Hayes now enjoys hitting the links for a relaxing deviation from his everyday duties.  On Sunday, Jan. 17 Hayes will blow out another candle on the cake.

Quinnatisset Country Club in Thompson has been fortunate to have the services of one of New England’s finest golf course superintendent for the past 27 years.  Michael Coty, not to be confused with Bishop Michael Cote of the Norwich Diocese, came to Quinnatisset in 1985 at a time when the course was in dire need of tender loving care.

Coty, who was a young man with only a few years experience under his belt at the time, has proven to be one of the best investments the course has made in its long and illustrious 110 plus years of existence.

A man who is not afraid to get his hands dirty, Coty dug into his job immediately with a plan for revitalizing the “Gem of Northeastern Connecticut.”  Along with his staff he undertook the work of restoring the greens, to the point where they became known as not only the fastest but the best maintained in the area.  He also dug in and repaired areas where water often accumulated by installing drainage in key areas of the course.

In order to maintain the proper amount of sunshine to all portions of the course he toiled spring, summer, autumn and even in the cold winter months removing damaged trees and those obliterating the sunshine without affecting the ecology of the beautiful landscape.  Proving that he wasn’t averse to putting in extra hours on the job, Coty could often be seen driving the course in the evenings and on weekends assuring that the sprinkler system was addressing arid parts of the fairways and rough.

As a jack-of-all trades, Coty maintained the valuable equipment needed to care for his baby, Quinnatisset Country Club.  He could often be found in the maintenance area repairing broken and often aged equipment, saving the course hundreds if not thousands of dollars in repair fees.

In 2003, when Quinnatisset underwent a major $3 million overhaul to its front-nine, Coty worked many long hours hand-in-hand with then Club President Peter Deary and Roger Rulewich, the architect hired to design and oversee the project.

Despite his many and varied duties, Coty was always affable with and considerate of the membership.  His unique sense of humor was often his biggest ally.  Whether it was Club tournament events or community golf tournaments or just a regular day on the golf course for the members, Coty always has the course looking like an 18-hole layout on the Emerald Isle. 

He had pride in himself, his work and the 18-hole golf course on County Road.

According to the current President of the Board of Trustees, Atty. Mark R. Brouillard, Quinnatisset is honoring Coty on the occasion of his retirement for “the fabulous job he’s done during his 27 years.”

On Sunday, January 23 at 6 p.m. Coty will be honored with a retirement dinner at the Thompson Speedway.  Joanne Crowley, along with Brouillard, is handling the particulars.  Tickets for the evening are $45 per person and can be purchased by mailing a check made payable to Quinnatisset Country Club to Crowley at 10 Wyndham Landing, Danielson, CT 06239.

As a member of Quinnatisset Country Club for nearly 35 years, RPC is proud to say that Mike Coty is “one hell of a guy.”  Mike, we extend to you one of the highest honors in sports, A Tip of the Sports Fedora from RPC.

A Big Mac on the Way

In November, Putnam Science Academy 6-foot, 8-inch power forward Mamadou Diarra from Queens, N.Y.,  signed a Letter-of-Intent to play basketball at UConn beginning in 2016.  Diarra, who is the main cog in coach Tom Espinosa’s team, which is off to an 12-1 start and ranked #4 in the Nation, recently received more good news.

Diarra was among nine Connecticut high school basketball players nominated to play in the 2016 McDonald’s All American Game, according to a release by McDonald’s dated Tuesday, January 5.  This year’s list includes 760 players from 49 states and the District of Columbia.  Selections were made by high school coaches, athletic directors, principals and members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee.

The final roster of the 24 young high school basketball players who will be chosen will be announced during the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Show on ESPNU, airing Sunday, January 17.  The 39th Annual Boys Game will tip-off at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30 from Chicago’s United Center.  The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Stayed tuned for the results of the Selection Committee’s decision.

Local Football Coach Resigns

Although it hasn’t been announced publicly, news from an anonymous source indicates that Clay Killingsworth has resigned his position as head football coach at Woodstock Academy.  Killingsworth has been at the helm of the Centaurs program for the past three years.  During that time, the program that’s been attempting to find its identity since its inception, has won three games.

It’s anticipated that an announcement will be forthcoming that Killingsworth will be moving on to Norwich Free Academy, where he’ll assume the position of offensive coordinator under head coach Jemal Davis.

Killingsworth replaced Gary Brine at Woodstock Academy when he assumed the position.

Patience and Perseverance Pay Off

In a recent Major League Baseball announcement Rajai Davis who played last season for the Detroit Tigers was signed for the upcoming season by the Cleveland Indians.

Davis, who graduated from New London High School and later played for coach Roger Bidwell at UConn-Avery Point, was drafted in 2001 by the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 20.  He made his Major League debut in 2006 with the Pirates.  The much-travelled outfielder, known for his speed and base running, has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants.

During his 10-year career, Davis has posted a .269 batting average and stolen 322 bases.  He will become a free agent in 2017.  In signing a one-year contract with the Indians, Davis will receive a salary of $5.25 million.  Not bad for a local kid who was drafted in the 38th round.  

Locally, he’s expected to be on hand at the World Baseball Coaches Convention at the Mohegan Sun on January 21, 22 and 23.  In the past Davis has appeared in Putnam at the former Day Kimball Hospital Sports Auction.

Keeping Up With the Collegians

Oscar Assie, who played at Putnam Science Academy during the 2011-2012-season, is enjoying a productive career at American International College in Springfield, Mass.  Assie, who is in his senior year scales in at a chiseled 6-feet, 7-inches and 225 pounds.  He’s coach Andy Burkholder’s force in the middle for the Yellow Jackets.

In a recent Northeast – 10 Conference victory over Assumption College, Assie saw limited action due to early foul trouble.  He ended the evening with four points and five rebounds.  AIC is 6-7 after 13 games.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Cheerful givers do not count the cost of what they give.  Their hearts are set on pleasing and cheering the person to whom the gift is given.

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