Tournament pg 9 6-7-12
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Winning Teams
The winners of the net competition at the Rotary Club's golf tournament, left photo, is part of the Byrnes Insurance team: Jeff Rizer and Archie Drobiak (missing were Greg Kosma and Chris Yonush). Right photo is the gross winners, Center for Bone and Joint, including: Tom Harney, Mike Bernier, Tom Morway and, missing, Earl Semmelrock. Linda Lemmon photos.
By Ron P. Coderre
The unofficial start of the local tournament golf season got underway the week of Memorial Day with the playing of two long established events. The St. James Memorial Golf Tournament, which has been around for 15 years under the direction of Sam Markley, went off without a hitch May 31. June 1, the Putnam Rotary Club held its annual event at Connecticut National Golf Club. Both tournaments enjoyed a full field of golfers.
Quinnatisset Foursome Captures St. James Tourney
The Quinnatisset Country Club based foursome of Matt Smith, Tom Morway, John Smutnick and Captain Mike Bernier arrived at Foster Country Club with clubs a blazing, as they shot a blistering 15 under par over the par 72 layout, walking away with top honors. The winners were declared by virtue of matching cards, edging the threesome of James and Lenny Martin and long ball hitting Justin Cyr. The third-place group, one stroke off the pace with a minus 14 was Armand and Corey Gaudette, Willie Davis and Jeff Beaupre.
The famous “Markley long drive contest” was won by Joel Blain. Jeff Hanley was the winner of the putting contest.
The St. James tourney, noted for its many special contests and awards, took time to honor a very distinguished person who has been the backbone of the parish for more than 20 years, Pastor Father John O’Neill. The special recognition, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Father John’s ordination into the priesthood, included words from Sam Markley, Edward Desaulnier, Ronald P. Coderre, Joseph Markley and Deacon Rene Barbeau. The entire gathering rose and regaled the “good padre” with a special version of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” titled “Sweet Father John” especially written by the students of St. James School. The recognition concluded with the presentation of a baseball bat signed by Father John’s favorite team the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox.
Other award recipients included: The Jack LaGarde to Alan Parsons; the Pastor’s Award to Bernie Charron; the Albie Page to Bob Farrell; the Father John O’Neill to Roland and Lyn LaCharite; and the Liz Burke to Deacon Rene Barbeau.
“This was a very special year and tournament because we were able to recognize Father John. He’s been so instrumental to the success of everything related to St. James. The full field of golfers was a true tribute to him and this tournament,” said Sam Markely.
According to Markley, the tournament netted more than $28,000, which will go to support St. James School and Parish.
Rotary Tourney Enjoys Banner Day
The “golf gods’ were with the Putnam Rotary Club for the recently renamed Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament as perfect weather greeted the full field of 144 golfers at the impeccably manicured Connecticut National Golf Club. According to co-chairmen of the event Marc Archambault and Doug Porter, the tournament netted more than $28,000, which the club will put toward its scholarship fund and the more than $25,000 it distributes to local non-profits throughout the year.
“I’m not a golfer but every year it’s exciting to see the number of participants this tournament attracts. The support we receive from club members, local businesses and the golfers and volunteers is unbelievable,” said Porter.
The 2012 Ronald P. Coderre Putnam Rotary Club Golf Tournament championship team was the foursome of Tom Harney, Tom Morway, Mike Bernier and Earl Semmelrock, representing The Center for Bone & Joint Care of Putnam. The winners carded a minus 14 score of 58 over the par 72 layout. In second place one stroke behind the winners was the group of Jeff Rawson, Earl Rosebrooks, Jim Logsdon and John Eklund, representing Rawson Materials of Putnam. The show spot went to the foursome of Tim Kane, Ken Pickering, Jeff Adler and Barry Gendron with a score of 60. They were representing Foster Corporation of Putnam.
The Byrnes Agency of Dayville, Woodstock and Norwich won the net competition with a score of 50.51. The winning foursome included Archie Drobiak, Jeff Rizer, Greg Kosma and Chris Yonush. Second-place net, with a score of 54.27, was the foursome of Joe Carlone Jr., Tim and James Carlone and Steve Radcliffe, representing Linemaster Switch of Woodstock. Third net went to the YMCA of Greater Hartford foursome of Gary Wolff, State Rep. Dan Rovero, Rich Burness and Craig Voorhees with a score of 56.26.
Closest to the pin winners were Don McManus (4th Hole), Brian Bates (7th), Matt Parziale (9th), Laurence hale (11th) and Greg Kalufus (!5th). There were two skins, awarded to the teams of Marc Archambault, McManus, Bob Mooney and Jeff Penterson representing Archambault Insurance Associates and the Foster Corporation group.
“Another banner tournament for the Putnam Rotary Club,” said co-chairman Marc Archambault. “We’re pleased with the turnout and results of today’s tournament in our initial attempt as the leaders. We thank Ron Coderre for all his hard work in establishing this as a premier golf event for northeastern Connecticut.”
The 2012 “Ace in the Hole” Award was presented by Archambault and Club President Cindy Dunne to Paul C. Aldrich of Putnam. He was given the award in recognition of his work in organizing the volunteers for the tournament for the past five years. Each year more than 30 volunteers support the tournament.
“It’s an honor to present Paul Aldrich with this award. He’s like clockwork in the way he approaches this tournament. He definitely upholds the motto of Rotary, which is ‘Service Above Self.’” said Dunne.