(December 9 ,2022) –The season long race for Chris Cote’s Golf Shop One Day Player of the Year began in early April and concluded in October. Here is a look at how Chris Maxwell, Dave Jones, Glenn Pelt, Jr., and Nick Snyder earned player of the year honors.
Tettelbach Open Division
- Points: 520.16
- Number of Tournaments: 10
- Wins: 2 (Clinton CC, Shennecossett GC)
Q&A with Chris Maxwell
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Chris Maxwell: I don’t really have a most memorable moment from this season. I played in ten events this year, including the Al Acker Championship at Wethersfield CC. In the nine events prior to the final, I didn’t finish any lower than seventh place including two first place finishes.
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
CM: I most enjoy the One Day events because they are both casual and competitive. I can play with friends but at the same time play against some of the best players in the state. I also like that they are usually played on Mondays, which happens to be my normal day off.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
CM: I don’t remember what year I started playing in the One Day events, but it’s been quite a few. I remember playing events back in the day when Al Acker, Art Rizy, and Harry Sanders, were involved in the events.
CSGA: What do you do for work?
CM: I work for Chris Cote’s Golf Shop. I am one of the club fitters at the Portland location. I have been there for three years.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award what does earning this honor mean to you?
CM: Winning the Tettelbach Open Division Player of the Year award for the second year really validates that I still have some game left and can hang with some of the best players around. Playing well in the One Day events added enough points to my overall Tettelbach Player of the Year standings to put me in the top 20 for the year. Top 20 exempts me from having to qualify for a few of next year’s majors. That is a big perk in my eye.
Tettelbach Net Division
- Points: 557.8
- Number of Tournaments: 9
- Wins: 4 (Ellington Ridge CC, Shennecossett GC, Stonington CC, Al Acker One Day Championship)
Q&A with Glenn Pelt, Jr.
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Glenn Pelt, Jr.: The most memorable part of the year was definitely the Al Acker Championship. Knowing that I was close to the lead for player of the year and winning.
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
GP: I enjoy the new people I get to meet, playing new courses around the state, and the competitive aspect of it.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
GP: I was online looking for tournaments to play in a few years ago and pretty much just stumbled upon it. I played in a handful the first two years and this year played as many as I could.
CSGA: What do you do for work?
GP: I own a home improvement business.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award what does earning this honor mean to you?
GP: The honor means a lot. There are a lot of great players that play throughout the year. To me consistency is the biggest factor, if you perform consistently throughout the year you will be there in the end. I enjoy the pressure of the tournaments and having to perform when it matters most.
Siderowf Gross Division
- Points: 624.9
- Number of Tournaments: 9
- Wins: 5 (Clinton CC, Shennecossett GC, Manchester CC Four-Ball, Tumble Brook CC, Suffield CC)
Q&A with Dave Jones
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Dave Jones: The most memorable moment in the One Day series events was winning the Four-Ball title at Manchester CC with my good friend Tony Susi. We had come close the last two years in this event but just fell short on both occasions. To win this event with Tony against such a strong field was certainly a highlight for both of us and a memory we will cherish.
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
DJ: There are several reasons I enjoy the One Day tournaments. First, the series offers tournament golf at the highest level. All the best seniors play in the events making them highly competitive. You have to shoot under par to have a chance to win and sometimes that is not good enough. I know I take these events very seriously and I need to show up with my best ‘A’ game to have a chance to win.
Second, the schedule offers a lot of opportunities to play many of the best courses in the state and some hidden gems as well. And with so many events on the schedule, you can pick the events that fit your work and personal life.
Finally, the events are all run so well and Marsha and Lynn do a fantastic job of communicating with the players during the season.
CSGA: What do you do for work?
I work at the Sayles School in Sprague where I currently teach in the Technology Lab.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
DJ: I started playing more tournaments in the One Day series a couple of years ago when I went from full-time to part-time teaching. My current schedule allows me to get afternoon tee times and play in the events without taking time off from work.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award what does earning this honor mean to you?
DJ: Winning the Siderowf Gross Division Player of the Year award is very special simply because it is so hard to win at golf. To win the Siderowf Gross Division Player of the Year award it is not enough to just have one or two good tournaments throughout the year or even to have one stretch of great play. You have to be really consistent from the first event to the last event because of the level of competition in the CSGA. I am very proud and fortunate to win the player of the year award against such a strong field of senior golfers.
Siderowf Net Division
- Points: 385.25
- Number of Tournaments: 11
- Wins: 3 (Stonington CC, Clinton CC, Tumble Brook CC)
Q&A with Nick Snyder
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Nick Snyder: Hands down, winning the Siderowf Net Player of the Year award. Going into the last tournament, I had a 76-point lead over my closest competitor. He had to finish first or second to beat me as long as I did not score any points. Well, he finished third and I tied for seventh, which gave me a 33-point advantage that won the title. That was close!
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
NS: I enjoy the competition and the opportunity to play the numerous private courses on the schedule.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
NS: Around 2010 a good friend of mine [Blase Sanzone] mentioned the CSGA Tournaments. We’ve been playing ever since.
CSGA: What do you do for work?
NS: I retired in June 2021 but prior to that, I worked in Information Technology.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award what does earning this honor mean to you?
NS: When our group [of three] first started playing the One Day’s, our goal every year was to make it to the year ending Al Acker Championship. The three of us have met that goal numerous times over the years. Winning player of the year was never in our sights until last year when Blase won a couple of tournaments and was in the running at Shenny. I believe he finished third.
This year, I was fortunate to tie for first at the first tournament of the year and win two more tournaments through mid-season. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I could contend for player of the year. But I persevered, stayed focused, and pulled through. It is the crowning achievement in my 55-year golfing career! I’m very honored to have won the award and hope to compete again next year.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
