(December 13, 2024) – 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 Chris Flowers, Dave Jones, Ronald Soccoli, and Nick Snyder earned Player of the Year honors.
2024 One Day Player of the Year Rankings
Tettelbach Gross Division
- Points: 399.5
- Number of Tournaments: 10
- Wins (2): Country Club of Waterbury, Tallwood Country Club
Q&A with Chris Flowers:
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Chris Flowers: Overall my top CSGA memory was getting my first in competition hole-in-one on the sixth hole at Torrington Country Club during the Connecticut Amateur. It was also my second hole-in-one in a span of four weeks after recording one on the eighth hole at H. Smith Richardson.
In terms of One Day’s, it would definitely be winning at the Country Club of Waterbury. In absolutely brutal conditions, I was able to keep it together mentally to shoot a 73 which felt like a 65, and it was good enough to win that event.
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
CF: Being able to stay sharp by playing in One Day shootouts is a great thing for my game, and I enjoy the competition with others for the season long Player of the Year race. I also want to commend the CSGA for running these events so well and giving us more opportunities to play competitively.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
CF: I’ve been playing in One Day tournaments consistently, ever since I regained my amateur status in 2021. I wanted to add more competitions to my calendar.
CSGA: What do you do for work?
CF: I am going to be launching a start-up company called Patriot Golf Gear, which will be an e-commerce shop for golf apparel and accessories that has a strong mission to give back to the military and first responders through a portion of every sale.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award. What does earning this honor mean to you?
CF: I had a very up-and-down season with my game, so it is a huge confidence booster for me going into next season knowing that I’m that much closer to finally winning a CSGA Major.
Tettelbach Net Division
- Points: 712.17
- Number of Tournaments: 14
- Wins (1): Country Club of Farmington
Q&A with Ronald Soccoli:
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Ronald Soccoli: I played the Al Acker One Day Championship at Wethersfield Country Club sick with pneumonia. Somehow I was able to focus what little energy I had on my game. I was out of commission for three weeks following that round.
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
RS: Besides playing with a lot of different golfers, I dedicate most weekends to my family, so the Monday/Tuesday CSGA events are my opportunities to play and compete, which I love.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
RS: My father used to compete in them and I grew up with the game. As I have gotten older and my work schedule has become more under my control, I have just continued the tradition.
CSGA: What do you do for work?
RS: I am a partner at the law firm Brenner, Saltzman & Wallman LLP in New Haven. I am a trust and estates attorney.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award. What does earning this honor mean to you?
RS: To be honest my main focus is competing for low gross at each tournament. As a 53-year-old playing still in the younger division with the kids who out hit me by miles I like pitting my knowledge of the game against their raw skill.
I have never won a gross One Day. I have finished second several times and been top 5 many times. The irony is in winning the Tettelbach Net Player of the Year award as a career two handicap, I guess that means I am consistent.
I am just as proud to finish fifth in the Tettlebach Gross Player of the Year standings. My scores never go too high on bad days and on good days I play solid high percentage golf. I am looking forward to competing in the Siderowf Division after next season when the courses get a little shorter.
Siderowf Gross Division
- Points: 772.66
- Number of Tournaments: 15
- Wins (4): Keney Park Golf Course, Farmington Woods Golf Club, Manchester Country Club Four-Ball, Country Club of Farmington
Q&A with Dave Jones:
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Dave Jones: My most memorable moment of the past One Day season was playing in the Four-Ball Championship at Manchester Country Club with my buddy Tony Susi. We rallied from two strokes behind to tie for first when we birdied No. 17 and Tony rolled in a 20-footer for birdie on No. 18. That was so much fun and certainly the most memorable moment of the One Day season.
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
DJ: The One Day tournaments are so enjoyable because they are so well run and are held on some of the best courses in the state. But the thing I enjoy most about the One Day events is playing in a regular group with great friends, Bill Hermanson, Jim Lawler, and Tony Susi.
While we are playing we are all competitive and trying to win, but at the same time, there is such a positive vibe in the group. We are all rooting for each other to play great golf and I can honestly say my most enjoyable days on the course have been in the One Day events with these golfers.
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
DJ: I started regularly playing the One Day tournaments four years ago when I started working part-time at Sayles School. That reduced work schedule allowed me to start playing in the One Day tournaments and over the past few years I have added more events to my tournament schedule.
CSGA: You have retired from teaching but what do you do for work now?
DJ: I retired from teaching at Sayles School in Baltic a year and a half ago. Since I “retired” I have officiated soccer games, refereed 110 basketball games last winter and spring, and I have been working part-time at Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam during the golf season.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award. What does earning this honor mean to you?
DJ: Winning the Siderowf Gross Division Player of the Year award is extremely humbling and very special simply because it is so hard to win anything at golf. The level of the competition continues to get stronger and younger and all the best seniors play in the events making them highly competitive. What I’m most grateful for is that I still love the game and have that burning desire to prepare for and play tournament golf.
Siderowf Net Division
- Points: 396.58
- Number of Tournaments: 12
- Wins (2): Whitney Farms Golf Club, Country Club of Farmington
Q&A with Dave Jones:
CSGA: What is your most memorable moment from the season?
Nick Snyder: Other than winning Siderowf Net Division Player of the Year for the second time in three years, one tournament stands out as being especially satisfying. I’ve played the Country Club of Farmington many times without success. I love the course, but for some reason, I never played well enough to crack the top 15. This year was different. I tied for first!
CSGA: What do you enjoy about the One Day Tournaments?
NS: I enjoy competing against some of the best senior players in the state and playing at many of the top private and public courses in Connecticut. Bob Sparks, his team, and the many volunteers do a fantastic job running these tournaments. I’m already looking forward to next year!
CSGA: How did you start playing in the One Day Tournaments?
NS: I started playing in these tournaments around 2010 after a member of our group mentioned them. We’ve been playing ever since.
CSGA: Before retiring what did you do for work?
NS: I retired in June 2021. Prior to that, I worked in Information Technology.
CSGA: It is always difficult to win a Player of the Year award. What does earning this honor mean to you?
NS: Winning this award is very special. It’s hard to win at golf especially when it’s not just one tournament. The level of competition is intense. You have to consistently play at a high level while competing against some of the best senior golfers in the state. I’m extremely honored and fortunate to have played well enough throughout the season to come out on top.
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.
