Wethersfield, Connecticut (October 21, 2024) – On a spectacular late October day Kyle Bilodeau and Dean Godek captured the titles at the 23rd Al Acker One Day Championship sponsored by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop.
With ideal scoring conditions, Kyle Bilodeau put together the round of the day firing a 3-under 68 to earn a four-stroke victory over Keven Slyne (+1).
Beginning his day on the par-3 12th hole at Wethersfield Country Club, Bilodeau got his round off to a quick start rolling in a 10-footer for birdie.
Bilodeau did give a shot back on the par-5 14th and as he reached the par-4 first he was even-par for the day. Looking to make a move Bilodeau flipped a wedge to 10 feet on No. 1 and rolled in the birdie putt to return to 1-under. A birdie on the par-5 second briefly moved Bilodeau to 2-under.
Following a bogey on the par-3 third Bilodeau was in the lead but knew he needed to create some separation from the field.
That separation came as the result of a birdie on the 583-yard par-5 sixth. After selecting 3 wood off the tee, Bilodeau hit 3 wood once again for his second shot. With 100 yards left for his third Bilodeau knocked his approach shot stiff resulting in an easy birdie.
Bilodeau would par the next three holes before ending his round with an exclamation point, a 20-foot double breaking birdie putt on the 421-yard par-4 11th.
“It’s encouraging to end the season playing some good golf,” Kyle Bilodeau said of his victory. “The playing conditions the last few weeks of the season have been tough with the wind and the firm and fast greens so I told myself to keep it simple (and that strategy has worked).”
The top five in the Tettelbach Gross Division was rounded out by Eric Bleile, Steven Langlois, Ronald Soccoli, and Jeffrey Delucia in a tie for third at 3-over.
Dean Godek, who began his round on No. 1, played his way to the top of the Siderowf Gross Division leaderboard with a 1-under 70 thanks to a two birdie and one bogey day.
However, it was his birdie on the par-3 17th that proved to be the difference maker. Off the tee, on the 177-yard penultimate hole, Godek flew the green and faced a difficult second shot. Simply looking to give himself a chance at par, Godek exceeded his own expectations by chipping in for an unlikely birdie.
Now in the lead by one shot Godek, who also birdied the par-4 fifth, was able to par the final hole to close out a one-shot victory over runner-up Mark Vasington (E).
“I kept the ball in play,” said Dean Godek when talking about the key to his victory. “I also made some important putts for par from five to seven feet.”
Behind Godek and Vasington in the top five was Dave Jones (+2) in third along with Bill Hermanson and Shane Hassett in a tie for fourth at 3-over. Remarkably four of the top-five finishers all played in the same group – Godek, Vasington, Jones, and Hermanson.
Leading the way in the Tettelbach Net Division was Bilodeau (-1) with Soccoli (E) in second place. Jason Morrow and Langlois tied for third at 1-over while five players shared fifth at 2-over. The 2-over group included Slyne, Mike Breen, Corey Jones, Tommy Dorso, Jr., and Kyle Nolin.
Pacing the field in the Siderowf Net Division with a 3-under 68 was Mike Kraczkowsky followed by Bob Fliss and Tom Derienzo in a tie for second at 2-under. Hassett (-1) was one shot further back in fourth with Vasington (E) rounding out the top five.
2024 One Day Player of the Year Final Results:
- Tettelbach Gross Division: Chris Flowers
- Siderowf Gross Division: Dave Jones
- Tettelbach Net Division: Ronald Soccoli
- Siderowf Net Division: Nick Snyder
Click here for complete results.
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.
