Oct. 7, 2019. The One Day Series, sponsored by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop, welcomes every Connecticut golfer, regardless of experience, club affiliation or skill level, to play an array of the state’s best courses.
But the Al Acker One Day Championship, taking place October 8 at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton, is a different story.
Its field comprises only those who have finished in the top-5 in one of the fourteen competitions during the season.
The 18-hole championship not only determines a One Day Champion, but also strongly influences the One Day Player of the Year Series. This year is no exception. While a couple of the competitive scores are settled, there remains much to be decided.
First, in the championship itself: Ivan Lendl of Torrington Country Club will defend his Dick Siderowf (seniors, 55 and over) title. Glen Boggini of Manchester Country Club will seek to repeat in the Dick Tettelbach (open) division. Both shot 69 at Shenny last year to win by one and four respectively.
But it’s in two of the Player of the Year races that things get interesting. With 150 points going to the winner of the championship and 100 points to the runner-up, places can change with a putt.
While the gross portion of the open division is settled—Patrick Griffin of Indian Hill Country Club has won or tied first six times and has an almost 400-point lead over Boggini—the net title is not. There, Tom Dowd leads Scott Harger of Stonington Country Club by just 47 points, while Griffin is 52 behind, Marc Pratte is 105 back, Thomas Cox is 108, Jared Albert 117 and Stephen Mikulski 121. Dowd won his first One-Day event of the year in June at Tallwood Country Club. (Only Albert is not playing.)
The gross portion of the senior division is similarly up in the air. At 390.69 Tom Brett (photo) of Manchester Country Club has a 38.36-point lead over Richard Stevens of the Eclub of Connecticut and a 118.5-point lead over Jack Bracken of Hartford Golf Club. Bracken, however, is not competing.
The net competition among seniors is settled. Dominic Maselli of Keney Golf Club has an almost 200-point lead over Gary Galasso of Shennecossett.
The Al Acker One Day Championship honors Acker, a longtime member of Wethersfield Country Club and CSGA volunteer and rules official. Acker, a 2007 recipient of the CSGA’s Distinguished Service Award, directed the One Day series for many years. Upon his death in 2016 the One Day Championship was renamed in his memory.
“Al was a wonderful man you could always count on to say and do the right thing,” said CSGA Executive Director Mike Moraghan. “His presence at tournaments and in meetings made us a better organization and he was someone we all relied upon for insight and guidance. Al loved the One-Days and it is fitting that his name is on the championship trophy.”
The field of 104 begins play in an 8:30am shotgun start on Tuesday. Starting times and pairings.
