By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Dale Gardner.  The former Putnam Clipper big man is now more of a fan of sports than a participant.  Retired from a career with the State he also finds time to spend with friends at sporting activities.

The St. James Memorial Golf Tournament is generally the first scramble golf tournament of the year usually getting off the tee just prior to Memorial Day.  This year it will be business as usual with one exception.

This year’s tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25 but there will be one major difference.  Traditionally for the past 23 years the tourney has been organized and run by Sam Markley.  Following last year’s successful event Markley announced his retirement as chairman after raising approximately $500,000 during his tenure.

Markley’s spot in the chairman’s seat will be occupied by a capable replacement, Matt Desaulnier.  He comes to the table with some experience running golf tournaments.  Most recently he’s been the successful leader of the Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament and previously had served on the Day Kimball Hospital Golf Tournament committee.

“I’m coming into this year’s tournament with my eyes wide open.  Sam Markley’s done a great job running this event.  This tournament means so much to the welfare of St. James School,” said Desaulnier.

Desaulnier’s assembled a strong committee to assist with the task.  The group has been working diligently to prepare for the big day since shortly after the first of the year.  In addition to Desaulnier, the members of the committee are Joe Beaudreault, Scott Derosier, Jay Long and Dana Whitely.  Following Markley’s blueprint they feel they will once again give the golfers a first class event.

The 18-hole scramble-style event will be played at Foster Country Club in Rhode Island.  The fee is the same as it was in the past, $125 per players but Desaulnier and his committee is hoping the golfers will take advantage of some tremendous sponsorship opportunities.

Tournament sponsorship, which includes exclusive signage and recognition as well as a foursome, is being offered at $5000.  Gold sponsors are available at $1000 and includes a foursome, major tee sign and tournament advertising.  Silver sponsorship is $750 and includes a foursome plus major tee sign.

Other sponsorship opportunities include the $250,000 Shootout at $650; cart sponsors at $500; Major Tee sponsors at $250; and Tee sponsors at $125.

Registration for the tourney is 9 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 10 a.m.  Following play at 3:30 p.m. four lucky golfers will have the chance of a lifetime by shooting for a hole-in-one.  Should someone record an ace it will be worth $250,000 – a quarter of a million dollars.

The dinner and awards program will begin at 4 p.m. with the top three foursomes awarded cash prizes.  The tourney offers the usual amenities, 18-holes with cart, green fees, lunch and dinner.  There will also be closest-to-the-pin contests on all par three holes, an automobile for a hole-in-one during play, longest drive contest and skins game.

“We’re billing this as a full-service tournament and laying out the red carpet for all our participants.  St. James School offers a great education to area youngsters and we want to do all we can to continue that tradition,” said Desaulnier.

St. James School was founded in 1889.  It’s been an integral part of the local education process to thousands of students.  The school continues to thrive and is a regional destination for Catholic school children throughout Northeastern Connecticut.  It enjoys a reputation for quality education in a loving and disciplined atmosphere.

“This is New England’s best tournament,” said Father John O’Neill, pastor of St. James Church.

 For more information contact one of the committee members: Joe Beaudreault 860.428.0277; Scott Derosier 860.208.8086; Matt Desaulnier 860.377.0212; Jay Long 860.428.7661; and Dana Whitely 401.864.6233.

Football Scholar Athletes…

The annual Southeast Connecticut Chapter of the National Football Foundation dinner honoring area football scholar athletes had a definite Killingly flavor to it this year.  The event was held on Sunday, April 24 at the Mohegan Sun.  In addition to honoring individual scholar athletes, awards were presented to the Coach of the Year, Retired Coach and Special Recognition Awards.  

The 2016 Coach of the Year Award was presented to Killingly High School coach Chad Neal.  He led the Redmen to the CIAC Class M semifinals last fall.  After dropping its first game of the season to Griswold, Killingly ran off a regular season string of nine victories, capped by a big Thanksgiving Day victory over the Quinebaug Pride.  The team finished the season at 10-2. 

The Retired Coach Award was presented to Walt Sherwin of Montville.  A number of years ago Sherwin was the coach of the Killingly High School football team.

Austin Caffrey, the Redmen’s hard-charging running back and linebacker, was one of the honored scholar athletes.  Caffrey had a memorable season rushing for more than 1500 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.  He currently hasn’t selected a college to attend this fall and may end up going to prep school for one year.

Cahan Quinn, the captain of the Woodstock Academy football team was also among the honorees.  Quinn, who was a mainstay of the Centaurs defense from his linebacker slot, is headed to Norwich University in Vermont in September where he hopes to be a member of the Cadets football team.      

The other local player who was honored was Kyle Coady of Plainfield.

American Muscle Coming to Thompson…

A brand new muscle car driving experience is coming to Thompson Motorsports Park on May 20-21, May 27-28 and August 27.  According to Theresa Condit, director of Marketing at Thompson, the American Muscle Experience gives car enthusiasts the opportunity to get behind the wheel of either a 2015 Corvette Z06 or a Camaro 454 SS.

Drivers will get a taste of performance driving on a closed course with cones.  This course maximizes safety while still offering the thrill of being able to open up these powerful machines.  The next step is the Road Course Experience on the 1.7-mile road course, which offers a mix of straightaways and turns.  The 3000-foot front straight gives drivers plenty of opportunity to get up to speed.  It also offers a ride-a-long package with a professionally trained driver.

There’s something for everyone with the American Muscle Experience.  For more details and information visit www.thompsonspeedway.com/american-muscle-experience or call 888.314.6965.

65 Years Old and Going Strong…

Putnam Little League President Kyle Aldrich, along with other league administrators, held the 65th Opening Day ceremony at the Theodore “Billo” Freniere Little League Complex at Murphy Park.  For approximately 200 young players and their coaches it was the beginning of another summer of baseball and softball action.

A huge throng of parents and friends were on hand, surrounding the field in the third base and outfield bleachers as well as standing along the perimeter.  The teams and coaches started the festivities by marching from Rotary Park to Murphy Park.  Aldrich introduced Kita Fontaine, a member of the Putnam High School choir, who presented a stirring rendition of the National Anthem.  

Aldrich then introduced yours truly, RPC who was the Opening Day speaker.  The players and fans were regaled with the story of a 10-year old lefthanded pitcher who played in the very first Little League game in the history of the league.  In closing, the youngsters were urged to play like a champion on the field, study like a champion in the classroom and act like a champion at home and with their friends.  We also enjoyed the opportunity of throwing out the first pitch to Faith Johnson and Jack Lomax, members of the Putnam Middle School softball and baseball teams.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Little League baseball is a good thing ‘cause it keeps the parents off the streets and the kids out of the house!”  Yogi Berra

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