Clinton, Connecticut (July 1, 2024) – With a par on the first extra hole Mark Vasington (Wampanoag CC) and Julie Paolino (Ellington Ridge CC) captured the 87th Mixed Team Championship hosted by Clinton Country Club.
“Mark and I lost a good friend early this winter, and he taught me how to play golf,” Julie Paolino said. “He was kind of like the main man, and he brought Mark and me together. He was very instrumental in that. And so we decided to pair up and play in this event together (for the first time) and honor him.”
After finishing regulation tied at 1 over 73 with Dean Godek (Cedar Knob GC) and Alia Godek (Agawam Municipal GC) play headed to extra holes. Both teams found the green with their second shots on the par-4 first hole but it was a successful two-putt by Vasington and Paolino who have known each other for over 30 years that ruled the day.
Beginning the shotgun tournament played in the Chapman Format on the first hole Vasington and Paolino played a steady round of golf that included two bogeys, a birdie on the 329-yard par 4 15th, and the rest pars.
“We didn’t really get in trouble,” Mark Vasington said. “It was one of those rounds where your ball is a little better or my ball is a little better. It was one of those days where you’d like to be able to play your golf like that all the time. Where you’re not stressing a lot so it was a pretty good round and we just had a blast.”
The top five was rounded out by Ed Day III (Wallingford CC)/Kara Gormley (Pine Orchard CC) in third at 4 over followed by John Dellapiano/Kelly Dellapiano (Whitney Farms GC) in fourth at 5 over. Past champions Brett Franklin (Rockledge CC)/Annie Desanto (Hartford GC) tied for fifth with Paige Munro-Delotto/Blake Glissmeyer (Stonington CC) at 6 over.
Three teams tied for the overall Net title including Vasington/Paolino, Bob Cesca/Kathryn Gallagher (Richter Park GC), Day III/Gormley at 3 under.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Mixed Team Championship is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The CSGA 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.
