Special to the Putnam Town Crier

The Putnam Rotary Club is preparing for its annual Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament, which is scheduled for June 3 at Connecticut National Golf Club.  The tournament held annually for the past 32 years is the primary fund-raising event for the club that dates back to its inception in 1923.

In 2011 the Putnam Rotary Club renamed its tournament The Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament in honor of Coderre, who’s been a member of the club since 1982.  A past president and three-time Paul Harris recipient, Coderre served as tournament chairman and elevated the quality and proceeds that the tourney enjoys today to its current level.

“Ron has been an instrumental member of our Club for decades and has contributed so much to the success of our organization,” said Delpha Very, president. 

Organizers anticipate a full field of golfers although Chairman Shawn McNerney indicates that a couple of foursome openings remain.  Tee time is set for 9 a.m. for the scramble-style shotgun start event.  Registration runs from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. with the closing ceremony and awards presentation scheduled immediately following play. 

The registration entry fee is a reasonable $150 per golfer.  The tourney, which is a “red carpet event,” according to McNerney, includes 18 holes of golf with cart, awards, great food on the course and following play and refreshments throughout the day.  A staple of the tournament is the “golf poker” game with a $500 prize for the best hand.

Numerous sponsorship opportunities for organizations or corporations ranging from Tournament Sponsor at $2500 to Tee Sponsor at $125 are available.  The following sponsorships are offered – Cart Sponsor and Food Sponsor $2000; Tent Sponsor $1250; and Major Sponsor $1000, which all include a foursome and signs throughout the course.  A special Gold sponsor is available and includes two tournament participants. 

All golfers are registered for the ‘free prize drawing’ that offers more than 50 prizes.  An automobile generously donated by Putnam Rotarian Rick Place and Putnam Ford will be presented to the first golfer to record a hole-in-one on the par-3, 4th hole.  All par-3 holes will feature a closest-to-the pin contest.

“Our goal is to make this tournament the best and golfer friendliest tournament in the area.  From registration to the final award we want everyone who participates to walk away satisfied.  Working with the Connecticut National staff assures the success of the day,” said McNerney.

The motto of the Putnam Rotary Club is “Service Above Self.”  The tournament, which raises more than $30,000, assists the club in providing more than $14,000 in scholarships to local high school students who are entering college.  It also supports charitable giving to approximately 25 local non-profits as part of the $50,000 in donations the club provides annually.

Anyone interested in more information on sponsorships or in registering a foursome should contact McNerney by telephone at 860.753.4506 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Working with McNerney on the organizing committee are Peter Benoit, Aileen Witkowski, Doug Porter, President Very, Charles Puffer and Marc Archambault.