Stonington, CT (April 11, 2022) – With temperatures in the mid-30s and a stiff breeze blowing at the Stonington Country Club One Day Tournament presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop Jared Albert struck the first shot of the 2022 CSGA season.
“The other guy didn’t have his ball ready so I said I would do the honors,” said Albert who has hit the opening shot of the CSGA season before. “I told him there was a lot of pressure with the picture going out on the front page of the website.”
Albert didn’t feel any pressure hitting a solid tee shot to kick off the new campaign. “I’m really looking forward to the season. I always count down the days until the start of the CSGA season. It was a little chilly at the start today but you kind of expect that in early April but I am really excited to get it going. It was tough out there today but it feels good to get it going.”
One player who was unfazed by the conditions was two-time reigning Dick Tettelbach Player of the Year Cody Paladino. Playing in the second group out Paladino fired a flawless 6 under 66 to win the Tettelbach Open Division by a commanding six shots. Paladino played a steady front nine with one birdie before catching fire on the back nine.
With the temperature beginning to warm and the wind dying down as Paladino birdied Nos. 10-12 to leap to 4 under and then the 15th and 18th holes to play the back nine in 5 under 31.
“I have been practicing and working on my game over the winter probably more than any other winter so there was probably a little less rust than there normally is,” said Paladino who putted lights out. “There is still some competition rust but as far as golf swing and golf game rust there was probably a little less.”
The top-five in Tettelbach Open Division was rounded out by Ben Day in second place at even-par, Todd Howes (+3) was third while Jamie Sheltman, Glenn Pelt, Jr., and Chris Flowers shared fourth at 6 over.
Among those in the field competing in the Tettelbach Open Division was Chris Cote the owner of Chris Cote’s Golf Shop. “We are excited to be back and supporting the CSGA and amateur golf in the state of Connecticut,” Cote said following his T9 finish. “We enjoy growing the game of golf and being associated with the CSGA. It is a great group of people and it was great to get a chance to play in the first event of the season.”
In the Siderowf Gross Division Bill Hermanson and Vin Capece shared the title with 2-over 74’s. Hermanson was part of the early wave and played much of his round in frigid temperatures but that didn’t stop him from getting off to a quick start with a birdie on the par-3 3rd hole.
“Conditions were really difficult this morning. It was very cold with strong winds. One key to the round was a ski hat and mitts,” said the Connecticut Golf Hall of Famer.
The remainder of the round for Hermanson was about battling the conditions and the course as Hermanson bogeyed four times and birdied once more on the par-3 12th.
“It was my first competitive round since last fall so it feels good to get the season off to a decent start,” continued Hermanson. “But today was also good because it exposed a few things I still need to tighten up.”
Playing in the afternoon wave Capece dealt with slightly better conditions and played a solid round rolling in four birdies against six bogeys. His best stretch of golf came early in the back nine when he birdied consecutive holes to start the side.
“The most memorable birdie of the day was on the par-4 11th, which was a monster today playing against the wind,” said Capece the President & CEO of Middlesex Health the “Official Health Care Provider” of the CSGA. “I hit two of my best shots to reach the green and then made a 25 footer and ran off the green because I knew I had stolen one from the course.”
Rounding out the top five in the Siderowf Gross Division were Tom Brett (+4) in third, Rich Nappi (+5) in fourth, and Bruce Kraczkowsky (+6) in fifth.
In the Tettelbach Net Division Paladino and Pelt, Jr. shared first at 1 under, Howes (+1) was third with Michael Simes and Patrick Biggins tied for fourth at 2 over.
The Siderowf Net Division title was shared by Bill Wininger and Nick Snyder at even-par, Joe Gadbaw was 1 over in third while Mark Toscano and Capece were fourth at 2 over.
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.
