Aug. 29—Bill Hermanson has achieved success at every level during his golf career.
He’s consistently found his way into the winner’s circle ever since winning the Connecticut high school boys’ title in 1973 while playing at Old Saybrook High School.
And he continues to excel now that he’s competing in Connecticut State Golf Association Super Senior events like Monday’s tournament at Longshore Golf Course in Westport.
The 67-year-old Hermanson, a long-time member at Black Hall and East Lyme resident, shot an even par 69 to capture the 28th Super Senior Championship for the first time. He beat runner-up Mark Vasington of Wampanoag Country Club by one stroke.
“Any time you are lucky enough to win it is fun,” Hermanson said in a release. “That is what we all play for. Winning never gets old.”
Hermanson’s golf game is aging well.
A regular on the state tournament circuit, Hermanson recovered from a slow start on Monday that saw him stand at 3-over through 11 holes.
Hermanson, who started his round on the fifth hole, hit a terrific second shot into the wind from 173 yards out that stopped within two feet of the pin on the par 4 16th. He buried the short birdie putt and then continued to roll from there.
He drained birdie putts from inside eight feet on No. 1 and No. 2 to reach even par. He finished his round with two pars.
“I was hitting the ball well and I kept hitting it close and giving myself opportunities,” said Hermanson, who was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
It added up to another tournament win in Hermanson’s long and distinguished golf career.
Short putts
— Andrew Cavasino of Great Neck Country Club in Waterford rode a strong third round to finish tied for 17th at the 37th Connecticut Mid-Amateur Championship at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford. He shot a 72 on Tuesday to give him a total of 5-over 221.
Ron Tedoldi Jr. of Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam also made the cut and finished at 225 (70-77-78).
Cody Paladino of Hartford Golf Club ran away from the field, shooting an impressive 14-under 202 (68-64-70) for a five-shot victory. With the win, he became the first player to capture every Connecticut State Golf Association men’s championship. He also won the Connecticut Public Links (2006), Russell C. Palmer Cup (2013, 2022, 2024), Connecticut Amateur (2013) and Connecticut Open (2015).
— Kit Bryan added to her long list of Pequot women’s club championship wins, finishing with a two-round total of 178 (93-85). Ada Turley placed second and Valerie Thaston took third. Turley finished first in the net division.
In other club news, Chris Trisciuzzi won the 2024 PMGA President’s Cup on Sunday and John Duggan was the runner-up. The foursome of Nate Gencarella, Don Dias, Dean Bailey and Vincent Bartucca finished first in the Senior ABCD Scramble on Wednesday.
— Here’s a name to watch in the local golf world: Elle Reid.
Reid, 13, recently won the Black Hall women’s club championship, beating six-time winner Laura Pirruccello, 3 and 1, in the finals.
She’s had quite a summer, earning player of the year honors in Connecticut Section PGA Junior Players Tour division. She had six top two finishes out of eight events.
A resident of Deep River, Reid is entering eighth grade at the Williams School in New London.
In other Black Hall news, Jeff Riley won his second Black Hall men’s club championship, first since 2022, by beating defending champion Alex Jenkins, 1-up in the 36-hole final. Brian Zito and Bill Hermanson reached the semifinals.
— Two local assistant pros finished in the top six at the Connecticut Section PGA Assistant Championship held Monday at Wethersfield Country Club. Alex Cabral of Fox Hopyard tied for fourth at 1-over and Brian Quilter of Black Hall took sixth at 2 over. A storm delay shortened the event from 36 holes to 27.
Defending champion C.J. Konkowski of Hartford Golf Club finished at 4-under to win the tournament.
Andrew Ferrucci of Black Hall tied for 13th and Kenny Hall of Great Neck tied for 25th.
— While the Stonington Country Club men’s and women’s club championship winners ran in last week’s column, here’s some complete results from that day:
In the men’s tournament, Pete Stefanski defeated Michael Hawley, 1-up. Zorah Williams defeated Michelle Murphy, 5 and 4, in the women’s final. Dave Gaccione beat Ray Gabriel, 1-up, in 20 holes in the men’s senior event. Bob DeLisa won the men’s senior net over DJ Kolpak, 2 and 1. John Urban knocked off George Henningsen, 4 and 3, to win the men’s super senior net title.
Upcoming events
— Great Neck Country Club will run its championship day on Monday, Sept. 2. Eric Bergstrom is the defending men’s club champion while Caroline Petchark won the last three women’s club titles.
— The Old Lyme men’s club championship will be decided on Sept. 2. Jack Fader is the defending champion.
— Elmridge Golf Course’s Member-Guest tournament is set for Sept. 14 and Sept. 15.
— Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton will host a CSGA One Day tournament on Sept. 16.
— Fox Hopyard will serve as host for the Connecticut Senior PGA Pro-Am on Sept. 23.
— Please send golf results and information to g.keefe@theday.com
