(October 30, 2023) –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 Jamie Sheltman, Rick Lawrence, Walter Keuchkerian II, and Scott Harger earned Player of the Year honors.
2023 One Day Player of the Year Rankings
Tettelbach Open Division
- Points: 309.9
- Number of Tournaments: 5
- Wins: 3 (Mill River CC, Orange Hills CC, Shennecossett GC)
Q&A with Jamie Sheltman
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Jamie Sheltman: My most memorable moment was getting to play in the One Day tournaments with my friends. Another memorable moment was shooting a 66 to win at Mill River Country Club.
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
JS: I enjoy the One Day tournaments because they let everyone play different courses, so you can see how your game travels away from your home course.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
JS: I started playing in these a few years ago, we did them to get a tournament round in before the majors start.
CSGA: What do you do for work?
JS: I am a supervisor at Amtrak. I’ve been there for 15 years.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award what does earning this honor mean to you?
JS: It’s great to win Player of the Year in the One Day Tournament Series. This brings me one step closer to hopefully winning a CSGA major.
Tettelbach Net Division
- Points: 336.5
- Number of Tournaments: 13
- Wins: 1 (Norwich GC)
Q&A with Walter Keuchkerian II
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Walter Keuchkerian II: My most memorable moment from the season has to be on the 18th hole at Norwich Golf Club. I knew going into that hole that I needed a birdie in order to finish in first place for the tournament and take the lead in the season long race for Player of the Year. The 18th hole is a super tough 190-yard par 3. I hit a beautiful 6 iron to 5 feet and was able to make the birdie putt and when it dropped I gave it a big fist pump!
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
WKII: The thing I enjoy most about the One Days is the ability to be able to compete all year long and really stress your game out so you can see where your game is at. They are so amazingly put together and are always fun. The competitive side of golf is one of my favorite parts of this great game.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
WKII: I started playing in the One Days because I was looking for that competitive aspect and when I discovered the One Days I knew this was the exact opportunity I was looking for to compete.
CSGA: What do you do for work?
WKII: Right now I work at an amazing cafe in Cheshire called Main Street Caffè! It’s an amazing place and I highly recommend stopping by to see the great food, drinks, and atmosphere! I will also soon be starting at Sikorskys which is an opportunity that I’m super excited for!
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award what does earning this honor mean to you?
WKII: Last year was a rough year for me. It was definitely my worst season to date and this past offseason my coach Peter Egazarian and I put so much work and time into my game. So being able to win this award and going up to get the handshake and trophy from Marsha was just such an amazing moment for me and I knew at that moment all the work I put in had paid off and I’m super excited for where my game will go the next couple years!
I would also like to say thank you to everyone at the CSGA for all the hard work they put into this season. Also thank you to my Mom, Dad, and my friends Eric, Josh, Pete, Adam, Momo, Timmy, Linda, and Manny for pushing me to be the best player I can be!
Siderowf Gross Division
- Points: 541.4
- Number of Tournaments: 12
- Wins: 3 (Wethersfield CC, Manchester CC Four-Ball, Hunter GC)
Q&A with Rick Lawrence
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Rick Lawrence: At the One Day Tournament at Wethersfield Country Club, I hit it to 4 feet on the par 3 17th hole to make birdie, and then got it up-and-down on the 18th hole to shoot 72 (my age) and win by one stroke.
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
RL: Once you play some of these events, you realize there are a lot of excellent players in the Sideroff Division, and you need to play really well to win one of these tournaments. I also enjoy the variety of courses and appreciate the outstanding job the CSGA does in conducting these events.
CSGA: What do you do for work?
RL: My career evolved from nuclear science to machine learning to quantitative finance and finally to Covid-19 data science. I now give talks on ChatGPT and Generative AI. Last week I did an interview with a local cable TV station on this subject.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
RL: I played my first One Day Tournament in 2015. But it wasn’t until last year that I had the time to play a significant number of the events. I’ve always been impressed with the superb job the CSGA does in running these events.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award what does earning this honor mean to you?
RL: Winning Player of the Year indicates that you played well against excellent players across a number of events over a long season. I should add that I am not close to being the best senior player in Connecticut, but I am arguably one of the most persistent in terms of showing up. As Woody Allen once said, “90% of life is showing up.”
Siderowf Net Division
- Points: 307
- Number of Tournaments: 10
- Wins: 2 (Norwich GC, Al Acker One Day Championship)
Q&A with Scott Harger
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Scott Harger: My most memorable moment of the 2023 season was sinking a 50-foot downhill putt on No. 18 at Lake of Isles during the Al Acker One Day Championship.
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
SH: I really enjoy getting to play different courses throughout the state that I wouldn’t normally be able to play.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
SH: A guy at work was playing in them and asked if I wanted to play in them.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award what does earning this honor mean to you?
SH: If you play in most of them and can come in the top 15 a few times, you have a chance. Plus if you are playing well and get on a roll for a month or two you can get some points. It’s great winning Player of the Year. I played great in the last two tournaments because I have played the courses a lot and they suit my game since they aren’t that long.
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.
