Whitney Farms Golf Course in Monroe played host to the CSGA’s first tournament of 2012 on Monday, April 23. Cold, breezy and wet conditions made for difficult scoring as eighty-five golfers competed in the One-Day event held over the par 72, 6,714 yard course. The field included a number of Connecticut’s top players, including former state amateur champion Bill Lee, former Mid-Amateur champion Brent Dietz, former Senior Match-Play champion Lou Stone, and former Tournament of Champions winner Bob Spaniotis.
Steve Ackels of Farmington Woods claimed low gross honors in the Dick Tettelbach Division with an even par 72. Ackles recorded six birdies, seven pars, four bogies and one double bogie en route to a five-stroke victory over Tim Giuliano of Wampanoag, and James Mondo of Whitney Farms, who tied for runner-up at 77. Ackles played his final six holes in three under par to shoot 34 on the back nine. First place in the Tettelbach net division went to Fenwick‘s Scott Emigh, who recorded a score of 85-16-69.
In the Siderowf Senior Division, Lou Stone (New Haven), Brian Cohen (Yale), Ray Underwood (Torrington), and John Catarino (Glastonbury Hills) shared low gross honors at 78. Chris Calrow (Sterling Farms) shot 81-12-69, and Edward Ligi (Crestbrook Park) shot 83-14-69 to tie for first place net in the Siderowf Division.
After three inches of rain drenched the area on Sunday and early Monday, the season’s first tournament might have been postponed but for the efforts of the Whitney Farms staff. “Superintendent Wade Haynes and his crew did a great job getting the golf course ready for play today,” said CSGA Tournament Director Al Acker, “they put in a lot of extra time preparing the bunkers and the greens, and we really appreciate it.”
The next tournament on the CSGA schedule is a qualifier for the Russell C. Palmer Cup at Mill River Country Club on Monday, April 30. The season’s next One-Day is at Pequabuck Golf Club on May 8.
