Stonington, Connecticut (April 10, 2023) – The start of play at the Stonington Country Club One Day Tournament presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop was delayed briefly by frost. By the time lunchtime rolled around the delay was a distant memory as the 2023 season was underway and a frigid start had blossomed into a gorgeous spring day.
“We love having the CSGA out here and having the first event of the year,” second-year Stonington CC superintendent Wayne Lagasse said. “It is a cool thing for the club to host and we would love to continue to do so.”
With tee times pushed back 30 minutes the first shot honors fell to longtime CSGA competitor Glen Boggini. With a small crowd surrounding the first tee, Boggini sent the first of thousands of shots to be struck in CSGA competition this year hurtling through the air.
“Spring is here. The Masters Tournament just ended so for all of us in the northeast it means time to play golf,” Boggini who had hit the opening shot of the year multiple times before said. “I think you are just happy to play when this first event comes around. In the northeast, you are kind of on ice for a while so it is good to get out and play.”
And play they did – under bright sunny skies and with temperatures reaching into the 60s – the field made its way around the idyllic New England layout.
For the second consecutive year, nobody had more success on the challenging layout than Cody Paladino. The reigning three-time Dick Tettelbach Player of the Year winner fired an impressive 3-under 69 to claim the Tettelbach Open Division. It was the second consecutive season that Paladino had opened his year with a win at the season opening One Day Tournament. Paladino’s round was highlighted by four birdies, including one on the final hole, and an eagle on the par-5 fifth.
Eric Briggs (+2) finished in second five shots behind Paladino while Eric Bleile and Bret Lawrence shared third at 3-over. Mark Ashby, Kyle Nolin, and Andrew Cavasino were 4 over in a tie for fourth.
In the Siderowf Gross Division, the first player out finished as the top player on the leaderboard. Glen Boggini started his round in the most difficult conditions of the day but still managed to put together a solid 2-over 74 to win by two shots over Rick Lawrence (+4).
Boggini, who credited his ball striking for his strong round, rolled in his lone birdie of the day on par-4 fourth to help offset three bogeys.
The strong start at Stonington CC sets the tone for what Boggini hopes is a successful season, “I am looking forward to playing a full schedule this year. I love competing and love seeing a lot of my friends that are out here playing.”
The top five of the Siderowf Gross Division was rounded out by Bill Hermanson and Bruce Kraczowsky at 5-over in a tie for third while John Jerz, Frank Geiger, Tom Brett, Peter Davison, and Mark Vasington shared fifth at 6-over.
In the Tettelbach Net Division Ashby led the way at 3-under, Tom Dowd was 1-under in second place while Briggs, Lawrence, and Adam Pogorzelski finished in a tie for third at 1-over.
The pace in the Siderowf Net Division was set by Kevin Pasternack at even par. Three players – Tom Hurd, Kevin Conway, and Kraczowsky – were 2-over in second place one shot in front of four players in a tie for fifth at 3-over. The fifth-place group was comprised of Boggini, Bill Douton, Lawrence, and Tom Yerinides.
Note: The CSGA would like to thank Stonington CC head professional Justin Turner and his staff for a great day!
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.
