June 26, 2022
Jacob Orcutt reports:
A huge thank you and congratulations to the 29 hickory golfers (and two non-hickory golfers) who came out June 25 to compete in the second annual Smith-Collett Classic at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton, Conn. The Donald Ross track presented a tough challenge for the entire field, with high temperatures and dry conditions making the course a true test of hickory golf. Golfers competed using a Modified Stableford scoring system, with 1 point being awarded for bogeys, 2 points for pars, 3 points for birdies, and 4 points for eagles.
Our gross champion was Joe Mentz of Vernon, Conn., with 31 Stableford points. Bill “Wardy” Wardwell of Turners Falls, Mass., finished in a close second with 30 points, and Connor Palazzo of Farmington, Conn., finished third with 27 points.
Our net champion was Wardy Wardwell with 39 points. Second place with 39 points (determined by matching cards) was David Beamer of North Dartmouth, Mass. Marty Lauter of Northport, N.Y., and Jacob Orcutt from Coventry, Conn., tied for third place with 37 points.
In the senior division, Wardy Wardwell once again took home the win. Jeffrey Blomstedt of Gill, Mass., finished in second place with 25 points, and Frank Flood of Collinsville, Conn., finished in third with 23 points.
Special recognition to hickory newcomer Ernie Mintel of East Hartford, Conn., who won the “Moneysworth” prize for his score of 115, and to Jared Paletti of Pelham Manor, N.Y., who had the shot of the day. Jared holed out from the fairway to score an eagle on the par five 5th hole. This also landed him an elusive net albatross for the hole (a whopping 8 Stableford points!).
Thank you again to all of the players – we hope to see everyone again next year!
Bill ‘Wardy’ Wardwell, left, and Joe Mentz were victors at the 2022 Smith-Collett Classic.
