By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School standout athlete and Vietnam veteran Bob Bernier.  Following a career with the State of Connecticut Bernier retired to a position at Connecticut National Golf Club.  He’s an avid fan of the Mohegan Sun WNBA team.

This year on the golf course will be memorable for Danielson resident and former Plainfield High School three-sport star Kevin Marcoux.  Marcoux, who heads up the Guidance Department and coaches the golf team at Killingly High School, has been involved in a number of championships on the links in 2016.

In June his Redmen golfers captured a State title after picking up their fourth Eastern Connecticut Conference crown in four years.  Now Marcoux can add another gem on his tiara as he was crowned the 2016 Quinnatisset Country Club champion.  This is a familiar position for Marcoux as he was the Club’s champion in 2009.

The championship was a 36-hole two-day event that took place on July 9 and 10 at the Thompson course.  Marcoux ran away from the 82-man field, firing a two-day total of 145 over the par 72 layout.  He won by a comfortable five stroke margin over another former champion Dave Marshall who carded a 150.

Legendary David McNally and former Woodstock Academy linkster Greg Pike tied in third place at 152.  They were followed by Paul Butkevich and Andy Grzyb who posted scores of 153.  The remainder of the Top-10 included Jim Colucci (154), Luke Spahl (155), Steve Keller and Joe Helnarski (156).

Perennial champion Anne Kelly was once again crowned the Ladies Club Champion.  She coasted to victory with a score of 172.  Kelly was followed in second place by Cathy Cohen.

An indication that the ‘apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” young Nolan Marcoux, son of the club champ, won the Junior title.  He posted a score of 184.  The Senior title went to Dan Navarro (154) who beat second-place finisher Roger Dionne and Charlie Panteleakos who came in third.

The First Flight belonged to Mike Reno (159), followed by Paul Hoar and Roland Scheck.  Second Flight winner was Randy Morse (156) trailed by Tim Williams and Bill Duke.  “The Legend,” John McCormac with a score of 165 was the 3rd Flight winner, followed by Gene Blain, and the trio of Mike Baker, Brian Litke and Larry Lippiello who tied for third.  Steve Giamundo (187) was the 4th Flight champ.  He was trailed by Tom Auclair and Nate Ploughman.  The 5th Flight title went to Paul Allain (187), trailed by Robert Viens and Rapo Vasil.

Visitor in Town…

A former Putnam High School lineman who graduated in 1959 has been in his old hometown for an extended vacation.  John Sherman, who starred for the late coach Jim Greenhalgh and the 7-1 Clippers in his senior year, is visiting from his home of Port Aransas, Texas.

Sherman, who scaled in at more than 200 pounds in high school, is retired from a career in the Connecticut National Guard.  While in Putnam he vacations at his daughter Debbie Heath’s home.  Later in the summer he’ll visit his son John Sherman Jr., who is the associate athletic director at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

Diarra Update…

The Hartford Courant recently ran a large article authored by Dom Amore on former Putnam Science Academy big man Mamadou Diarra.  Now a freshman at UConn and prepping for the upcoming basketball season under coach Kevin Ollie, Diarra is on the Storrs campus taking courses, working on his game, and honing his physical condition.

Diarra is part of a group of five freshmen, Alterique Gilbert, Juwan Durham, Vance Jackson and Christian Vital who have dubbed themselves the “Top 5.”  The 6-foot, 8-inch Diarra feels he has an opportunity to see plenty of action because of his ability to rebound.  In the classroom he’s deciding on his major, which might be business, psychology or communications.

Later this summer, Diarra, who hails from Queens, will return to New York and participate in summer basketball.

Back in Town… 

Kristen Willis, who played on a Woodstock Academy State Championship softball team, has returned to the area, assuming the position of director of Development at Day Kimball Hospital.  Willis, who was a three-sport star during her days at the Academy, is looking forward to a star-studded career in Development at Day Kimball.

Willis brings a strong background to her new position.  Previously she served as Woodstock Academy’s Development and Public Relations Officer.  Most recently she worked on the staff of the UConn Development program.

August Golf Tourney…

The 13th annual Burke Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament is gearing up for play, which is scheduled for Monday, August 15 at Quinnatisset Country Club.  The tourney registration begins at 9 a.m.  Tee time is promptly at 10 a.m. for the scramble style event.  Entry fee is a reasonable $110 per golfer.

The proceeds of the tournament benefit scholarships in memory of the late Kevin “Spyder” Burke who died in 2001 and the late Liz Burke who passed in 2003.  The funds have also assisted in establishing the Guari Children Scholarship Fund and The Christopher M. Guari Memorial Service Award Scholarship in memory of Christopher M. Guari.  Guari died on March 2, 2013.

The Liz Burke Scholarship is awarded to Killingly High School graduating senior and a student at Quinebaug Valley Community College.  Recent recipients were Kayla Zmayefski and Bernice Boateng.  The scholarship also presents $1000 to the St. James School Education Fund.  The Kevin “Spyder” Burke Memorial Scholarship is presented to a Killingly High School graduate entering the field of criminal justice.  Since the initiation of the tournament and scholarships, more than $58,000 has been awarded.

Anyone interested in more information or registering a foursome should contact Kelley L. Rochefort, 82 Laurel Drive, Dayville, CT 06241.  Rochefort can also be reached at 860.208.0141.  Calls may also be directed to Jack Burke 860.377.3654 or Michael Burke 774.259.9103 or Colleen Guari 860.234.0970.  Checks should be made payable to Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund.  

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.”  Archibald Rutledge

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