As he enters the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 2015 in the category of “Distinguished Service to Golf,” there is widespread opinion that few have ever done more in voluntary support of the Connecticut State Golf Association and Connecticut golf in general, than Dr. Richard “Dick” Zanini.
Former CSGA Executive Director, Ron Drapeau and past president, Jeff Witherwax have described Dick as a “one-man band” in paying tribute to his extraordinary efforts building and managing the CSGA Scholarship Fund.
When the two nominated Dick for Hall of Fame consideration they quoted the selection criteria that describes “…individuals supporting or enriching the game or improving the lives of others through service to the game,” and wrote, “There is no better definition to describe the tireless work Dick Zanini has provided golf in Connecticut. His knowledge, organizational skills, analytical and problem solving abilities have contributed to the CSGA being recognized as one of the leading state golf associations in the country.”
Long before he rose to prominence in Connecticut golf circles, Dick was an apt student and a hard worker who enjoyed all sports. He grew up in western Massachusetts, and his introduction to golf came as a caddie at Stockbridge Golf Club. Dick recalls, “Caddying was a great introduction to the game, and I fell in love with the game and its traditions.”
In a life devoted to education and public service Dick has been a leader in every field in which he has devoted his considerable energy. After earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from the University of Massachusetts, Dick earned his PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Connecticut.
His teaching career began at Avon High School. He received several fellowships and internships including a U.S. Office of Education Fellowship in Washington, D.C. in 1966-67. After more than twenty years in school administration, he retired as Wethersfield’s Superintendent of Schools Emeritus in 1995.
With his teaching career well established, Dick joined Bel Compo Country Club and later Wethersfield Country Club in 1983. By his own admission he didn’t “get serious about golf until retirement.” Over the past twenty years Dick’s involvement in the game, especially in service as a volunteer has been extensive and all encompassing.
His dedication to Wethersfield typifies a selfless work ethic. Over the past two years, in preparation for Wethersfield’s 100th anniversary in 2016, the former club president has read the minutes of every Wethersfield meeting held since 1916, and combed through thousands of news stories and photographs. The result of Dick’s exhaustive research will be a centennial book celebrating the club’s history.
A member of the CSGA Board of Directors since 1998 and Wethersfield’s Club Representative since 1999, Dick has held nearly every position at both his home club and at the CSGA. His tenure on the CSGA Executive Committee culminated with a two-year term as President in 2007-08.
He personally managed CSGA By-Law revisions in 2001, 2003 and 2006, and his meticulous record keeping of CSGA minutes and the affairs of the Scholarship Fund has become the standard by which the Association operates. Along the way, Dick has been a key member of nearly every important CSGA body including search committees, competitions committees, and committees interacting with groups such as the Connecticut Golf Alliance and The First Tee.
A past president of the Connecticut State Seniors Golf Association, Dick has served as a member of the CSSGA Board of Trustees, as well as the Board of the CSSGA Scholarship Foundation since 2008. His work as Managing Director of the CSGA Scholarship Fund in Honor of Widdy Neale, Inc. is perhaps his most significant in golf-related volunteerism.
The CSGA Fund provides scholarship assistance to young men and women who have been employed at CSGA member clubs. Under Dick’s guidance, the Fund has assisted hundreds of young people.
“Dick’s dedication is both remarkable and inspiring,” according to CSGA Executive Director Mike Moraghan. “Clearly he has a passion for helping young people further their education, and he takes real delight in recounting the success stories of our Widdy Neale scholars. Dick is very serious about the work of the Scholarship Fund, but he’s also a good guy with a sense of humor, a real pleasure to work with on a day to day basis.”
Through a combination of many projects and relationship building with groups such as the CSSGA and the Senior Golfers of Connecticut, Dick has almost single-handedly grown the CSGA Scholarship Fund’s financial support of college students from $35,000 to more than $100,000 annually.
“It’s all fun,” says Dick, “It’s rewarding to see what these youngsters can accomplish when they are given the opportunity. And it’s important that these are four-year scholarships because it all adds up and can be very helpful to these young people and their families.”
As for his induction into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame, Dick said, “I am truly humbled to be recognized among so many others who I am certain are more deserving. I have received so much satisfaction from my limited efforts to contribute to the game, its history, and traditions, and I clearly have gained far more than I have given, particularly from coming to know so many wonderful people throughout the state.”
Dick and Lucille Zanini live in Wethersfield and have five grown children, eight grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.
