By Ron P. Coderre
UConn made it official, the Huskies of coach Kevin Ollie have offered a scholarship to Putnam Science Academy shooting guard Eric Ayala. UConn already has former PSA big man Mamadou Diarra on the campus as a member of its freshman class and is diligently working to secure current Mustang and highly sought after prospect Hamidou Diallo. Diallo is being recruited as a member of the class of 2017.
Ayala, who entered Putnam Science Academy in 2015 as a repeat sophomore, closed last season with a rush for coach Tom Espinosa. UConn has offered Ayala for 2018.
Last season Ayala started the season as a reserve for the Mustangs. The 6-foot, 5-inch native of Hockessin, Del., demonstrated marked improvement throughout the season and was rewarded with more playing time as the season wore on. He finished the season averaging 10 points, five assists and four rebounds per game.
By the time the Mustangs reached the National Prep School Championships, Ayala was the first backcourt sub off the bench. In the final game of the season, a two-point loss at the buzzer to St. Thomas More, Ayala scored more than 20 points to lead the Mustangs.
“Eric is a bright young man with a good head on his shoulders. Last year he worked hard every day and it paid off with more playing time. His improvement as a player showed at the end of the season,” said coach Espinosa.
“As good as he is now, Eric still has room for growth. We’re looking for him to become one of our leaders this season,” added Espinosa.
Being recruited by NCAA Division I schools is nothing new to Ayala. Prior to enrolling at Putnam Science Academy he was being offered by St. John’s University, the University of Cincinnati, Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of South Carolina, LaSalle University and Iona. This year he’s also received offers from Maryland, USC, Temple University and Rutgers.
Legal Notice
Notice of Meeting
Town of Putnam
Board of Assessment Appeals
The Town of Putnam’s Board of Assessment Appeals will hold a meeting on Monday, September 19TH,
2016, at 7:00 p.m. in the 1st floor Community Room of the Putnam Town Hall, 126 Church Street. The sole purpose of this meeting will be for the hearing of appeals to assessments of motor vehicles on the Grand List of October 1, 2015. All persons claiming to be aggrieved by the doings of the Assessor, with respect to motor vehicle assessments, are hereby warned to make their appeal at the above listed place and time.
Respectfully Submitted
Dominick Lucenti,
Secretary to the Board
of Assessment Appeals
Sept. 7, 2016
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School standout football lineman Jim Guillot. A busy businessman, Guillot owns and runs Jim’s Upholstery on Route 44. He is part owner of the Crossings Restaurant and Brew Pub. In his spare moments he enjoys time on the golf links.
The Marianapolis Preparatory School Golf Tournament has grown in participation over the years. It doesn’t seem possible but the Golden Knights are getting ready for their 37th tournament, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13 at the Raceway Golf Club in Thompson.
According to Marianapolis Director of Development Susan Andersen, the tourney field is filling fast but a few openings remain. The tournament is unique because it features a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start for any golfers interested in an early bird start. The second shotgun start, which includes the majority of the field, is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. The fee per golfer is $135 and features lunch beginning at 11 a.m., golf with cart and post-tourney banquet.
There are 10 sponsorship levels, many with either foursomes or twosomes included. The Tournament Sponsor ($2500), Dinner Sponsor ($2000) and Diamond Sponsor ($1750) all include a foursome. Lunch ($1250), Platinum ($1000), Gold ($750) and Silver ($500) sponsorships include a twosome. The Bronze Sponsor is $250. Putting Contest Sponsor ($150) and Crystal Sponsor ($125)
The proceeds of the event, which raises more than $30,000 annually, go toward essential scholarship funds in support of deserving students.
“Marianapolis has provided me the opportunity to excel in the classroom through the help of my teachers and academic staff. Through community service projects I have continued expanding my knowledge outside the classroom,” said senior Simone Fournier of Putnam.
Anyone interested in more information or registering a foursome should contact Andersen at 860-923-9565 extension 227 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Checks may be made payable to Marianapolis Preparatory School and mailed Attn: Golf Tournament to P.O. Box 304, Thompson, CT 06277-0304.
Brooklyn Fair Race…
In days gone by the races at the Brooklyn Fair involved horses and sulkies. Those days have passed and today the race at the fair involves men, women and youngsters. The Brooklyn Fair 5K Road Race, which was run on Sunday, August 28, is becoming more and more popular each year.
This year’s winner was Jack Houlker who ran through the up and back course in a time of 17:39. Houlker’s closest competitor was Jon Dipippo who finished in 18 minutes even. Third-place finisher was Steve Hamill in a time of 18:13. Luke Lopriore of Killingly who set the early pace came in fourth at 18:43.
The female winner was perennial champion Linda Spooner of Sturbridge. She covered the 5K layout in a winning time of 19:29 a full 42 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor Stephanie Messier. Spooner’s time was good for a 6th place finish overall, while Messier came in 8th with a time of 20:11.
Quinnatisset Summer Results…
Mike Pizzetti, Quinnatisset’s superb club manager, sends along news from a very busy summer of golf at the Thompson layout. On Sunday, August 21 Quinny held its annual Couples Alternate Shot competition. A full field of men and women were on hand for a great day on the links.
The winning couple was the husband/wife team of Dave and Anne Kelly. By the way winning helps when you’re playing with your wife. Life at home is much better. Following the Kelly’s was Roger and Irene Dionne with Tim and Deb Williams in third place.
The 2nd Flight title was claimed by Bill Army and Rhonda Brooks and Mike Baker and Carol Peterson. It’s better to end in a tie in a mixed couples event, then there’s no finger pointing. Behind the top twosomes were Scott and Cathy Cohen.
Bob (not the former mayor) and Wendy Viens were crowned in the 3rd Flight, with the Shrewsbury, Mass., couple of Bob and Fran Jacques close behind. Third place went to Dave Coderre and Kathy Lewis.
Closest to the pin winners were Kevin Johnston (Men 7th hole), Gale Garceau (Women 7th hole) and Jim Hardell (Men 13th hole) and Helene Poole (Women 13th hole).
Charlie Panteleakos of Dayville led his foursome to a victory in the August 26 Member-3 Guest, as the team fired an eight under par 64. They beat second-place finishers Steve Bardsley’s foursome by two strokes.
In the net category, the Massachusetts foursome led by Bob Jacques picked up the victory with a score of 59, which was one stroke better than the runner-up foursome headed by Mike Tartaglia.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Mark Twain.
(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
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caption:
Presentation
Ronald P. Coderre, center, commander of American Legion Post #13 of Putnam, presents the American Legion Golf Tournament Championship Cup to Tom Chenail, left, and David Coderre of the winning foursome. Along with Rick Dion and George Tsanjoures (absent when photo was taken) the pair captured the 2016 tournament with a score of 56. Courtesy photo.
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
There were a lot of pats on the back on Sunday, August 28 at the conclusion of play in the 1st American Legion Post #13 Golf Tournament. The congratulations weren’t necessarily for the winning golfers as much as it was the Post veterans congratulating each other on the success of the tourney.
“Our guys worked very hard together in a very short period of time to put this tournament in place. The hard work paid off as we reached all our anticipated goals, reaching our financial target, raising $6,700 for our charity programs,” said Post #13 Commander Ronald P. Coderre.
A field of 17 foursomes came together at Connecticut National Golf Club in search of the first championship. At the conclusion of play the championship cup was presented to the foursome of David Coderre, George Tsanjoures, Rick Dion and Tom Chenail. As hot as the temperature was on tournament day, the foursome was hotter, firing a 15 under par 56 on the CT National layout.
“I’ve never been involved in a foursome that played so well together. We picked each other up in every aspect of the game for all 18 holes. It’s great to win this first American Legion tournament,” said team captain David Coderre.
Finishing second was the group of Roger Franklin, Duke and Matt Parziale and Neil Bernier one stroke off the pace, posting a score of 57. They bested the team of Norm Seney III, Donnie Marshall, Mike Manzi and John Langelier on matching cards. The third-place finishers also posted a score of 57.
In the mixed foursome competition the group of David Patenaude, Donna and Conor Duffy and Kevin Lengyl walked off with the title. There were five mixed foursomes in the field. In the closest-to-the pin competition Dave Kelly won on the 4th hole, Manzi on the 7th, Langelier on the 9th, Paul Leduc on the 11th and Richard Blackmar on the 15th.
According to Post Financial Officer Eric Quinn, the tournament netted $6,700 in support of the Post’s scholarships, the Boys State and State Police Youth Academy programs, TriTown baseball and the Americanism programs for students in the 5th grade at Putnam Middle School.
Short Putts: Members of the tournament committee were Alan Joslin, Franklin, Quinn, and Charlie Leach…Donnie Marshall former UConn standout basketball player and current television sports personality was in the field of golfers…Post member and Marine Corps veteran Michael Vassar and his wife Michelle were honored for their support of all Post #13 community programs…Vietnam veterans Leach and Patenaude were presented special recognition awards…Volunteers included Dee Carnahan, Robin Coderre, Jo-Ann Joslin, Barney Seney, Julie Quinn, Paul Aldrich and Diane Bates…CT National golf pro and restaurant manager Jennifer West did an outstanding job with the post-tourney meal…Joslin and his foursome of Jon Stringer, Josh Adamec and John Lane were temporarily AWOL, as they decided to play a few extra holes…Gerardi Insurance of Putnam was the tournament’s major sponsor…Bob Auger, former St. Louis Cardinals farmhand, proved he still can hit a golf ball a long way…Killingly Town Manager Sean Hendricks and his wife Erin played with Bob and Joann Chenail…Putnam Business Association President Earl Rosebrooks was in the field as was Putnam Deputy Police Chief Lee Konicki.