Frank Speziale Photo

NORWICH – The annual Canasawacta Country Club Member Guest Golf Tournament is underway this morning, Thursday, August 4.
The 58th edition of this historically competitive three days of golf will see the first teams tee off at 8 a.m. sharp.
With the number of golfers up in 2016, from years past, many pairs will be doubled up on holes to begin the day.
“90 teams, one of the biggest in the fields in the last 8 years. There will be 180 golfers on 18 holes of golf each day, that is a lot of golf and a lot of guys,” said Tournament Director and Owner of the CCC Tim Carson.
Carson explained that the increase in the sheer number of participants in 2016 is due in part to many younger golfers signing up to for the Member Guest this year, compared to others in the past.
“A lot of newer younger teams, under the age of 35,” said Carson. “It is a very social event, a lot of social things going on each day, there will be lunch and dinner every day. There is a cocktail party every night.”
Along with the many other social activities for spectators and golfers alike to participate in throughout the weekend, the CCC will also be featuring a live band on Friday night – The Bruce Beadle Band – which is sponsored by Professional Telecommunications and David Burrell; as well as DJ on Saturday night.
The format for this year’s edition of the Member-Guest tournament will be much the same as years past as spectators and fans will be treated to a 54 hole, Four-Ball Stroke Play competition. Flights will be determined after the first two days of golf, 36 holes of play have been completed, with the lowest eight scores as well as ties advancing into the Masters Flight.
The remaining golfers who do not make the top Masters Flight will be divided into eight other flights as well, and are scheduled to also play on Saturday, August 6.
The awards dinner for the champions of each flight is scheduled for Saturday, August 6, at 7:30 p.m., with the awards presentation to follow taking place from 9 p.m. until midnight.
“The awards dinner itself, could have as many as 280 people attending, it is really impressive,” said Carson.
2015’s Masters champions Brian Loomis and Brian Boyer, are both back at the tournament this year. However, after winning last year by just one stroke, the duo will be looking for separate titles this year as they try to repeat with new partners. Brian Boyer notched his first championship in 2015 while Loomis secured his fifth championship title with last year’s nail-biting win.
“I don’t know if there is a real front runner this year. We have a lot of repeat guys, but I don’t know if there is a real solid team that stands out,” said Carson. “It will make for a real good tournament.”
Notable teams who will be taking to the greens this weekend are the duos of: Mike Flanagan and Ed Larkin, Tom Ryan and Greg Dixx, Justin Bennett and Scotty Seiler, Bob Branham and his son Mike Branham, Matt Burrell and Craig Dawson, Bryan Smith and Ken Benjamin, and Tim Carson and Scott Seiler.
Regardless of who manages a championship this coming weekend at The Canasawacta Country Club, the weekend looks to have great weather, while the CCC is always looking to continue the long standing tradition that is their Member Guest Tournament, which has roots all the way back to 1959.
Below is the tournament champions of the Masters Flight dating back to the inaugural year of 1959.

Parade of Champions:

1959: Joe Rotundo and Henry Shearer
1960: Ernie Colamaio and Jack Lucey
1961: Ang Schibeci and Bill Carson
1962: Joe Annesi and Bill Seeley
1963: Charles Gregory and Bill Couter
1964: Andy Zaia and Mel Fry
1965: Dusty Annesi and Frank Santolucito
1966: John Anagnost and Bob Jones
1967: Dave Scully and Rob Rice
1968: Bob Palmer and Bince McGlade
1969: Bill Carson and Carroll Coyne
1970: Andy Zaia and Bill Zahner
1971: George Mirabito and Neil Brandow
1972: Ernie Calamaio and John Gallagher
1973: Dick Fern and Paul Gagliano
1974: Frank Santolucito and Bill Macarelli
1975: Tonny Annesi and Andy Annesi
1976: Frank Mirabito and John Edwards
1977: Bob Branham and Lou Stoddart
1978: Rory Carrigan and Mike Bulhai
1979: Bob Thorpe and Chan Gray
1980: Herb Flood and Paul Branham
1981: Cliff Tamsett Jr. and Bob Branham
1982: David Branham and Tom Wheaton
1983: Doug Cottle and Roger Schoenbeck
1984: Frank Santolucito and Bill Macarelli
1985: Cliff Tamsett Jr. and Bob Branham
1986: David Branham and Tom Wheaton
1987: Mark Demellier and George Gelsomin
1988: David Branham and Tom Wheaton
1989: Bob Branham and David Bowman
1990: David Branham and Tom Wheaton
1991: Bob Hall and Peter Severud
1992: Bob Branham and David Bowman
1993: Chris Denning and John Denning Jr.
1994: Bob Branham and David Bowman
1995: Bob Branham and David Bowman
1996: Steve Huggins and Nick Masterpole
1997: Tim Mirabito and David Aust
1998: Brian Loomis and Christian Brown
1999: Bob Branham and David Bowman
2000: Brian Loomis and Christian Brown
2001: Christian Brown and Brian Loomis
2002: Christian Brown and Brian Loomis
2003: Doug Wilson and Joe Gutosky
2004: Bob Branham and Mike Branham
2005: Tim Mirabito and Ken Stewart
2006: Tom Ryan and Matt Ryan
2007: Tim Mirabito and Ken Stewart
2008: Bob Branham and Mike Branham
2009: Lee Skillin and Jim Gorski
2010: Bryan Smith and Todd Seiler
2011: Tim Carson and Scott Seiler
2012: Tim Carson and Scott Seiler
2013: Corey Johnson and Eric Walling
2014: Matt Burrell and Craig Dawson
2015: Brian Loomis and Bryan Boyer

The following rounds have been set thus far. Further results along with champions will be reported by The Evening Sun when the information becomes available.

Round one, Thursday, August 4, at 8 a.m., will see the following teams tee off:

Tee 1: Tim Carson and Scott Seiler, David Carson and Timmy Clark, followed by Justin Bennett and Scotty Seiler, and Mike Flanagan and Ed Larkin.
Tee 2: Josh Bennett and Matt Morley, Harry Myers and Josh Dolbin.
Tee 3: Leigh Baldwin and Ken Islemoe, and Trip DeCordova and Kevin Nugent, followed by Kevin Walsh and Damien Rhoades, and Michael Thomas Hayes and Bryan Boyer.
Tee 4: Tim Borfitz and Josh Borfitz, and Tom Kozlowski and Eric Bailey.
Tee 5: Jordan Alger and Rob Krowiak, and Roger Clarkson and Dan Tacinelli, followed by Derek Hughes and Casey Edwards, and Kurt Edwards and Kyle Edwards.
Tee 6: Chuck Kelly and Jacob Kelly, and Joe McBride and Jason Bissett, followed by Gerry Bennett and Aaron McEligot, and Jim McIntyre and Mike Morse.
Tee 7:Chris Maynard and Craig Cleveland, and Salvatore Testani and Earl Halaquist, followed by Lee Skillin and Jim Gorski, and Hal Skillin and Bob Berry.
Tee 8: Mark Demellier and Jim Jones, and George Gelsomin and Eric Gelsomin.
Tee 9: Aiden Hannan and Doug Coggins, and Brendan Hannan and Mike Hannan.
Tee 10: Bryan Smith and Ken Benjamin, and Robert Branham and Mike Branham.
Tee 11: Roger Gray and Kevin Meyer, and Jeff Cola and Al Hess.
Tee 12: Bill Potter and Roger Boudet, and Mark Matott and Rich Lathrop.
Tee 13: John Mitchell and Tom Flanagan, and Pat Flanagan and Dave True, followed byBrent Miller and Ryan Kelly, and Terry Hagenbuch and Ernie Musarello.
Tee 14: Joe Brillinger and David Brillinger, and Joe Loftus and Brad Hagen.
Tee 15: Mike McCredy and Cory Seiler, and Bob Adsit and Mike Doscher.
Tee 16: Spencer McCredy and Matt Meade, and Lance Yerton and Steve Bennett.
Tee 18: Matt Ryan and Matt Mayhew, and Tom Ryan and Greg Dicks.

Round one, Thursday, August 4, at 1 p.m., will see the following teams tee off:

Tee 1: Paul Brunick and Matt Foote, and Matt Burrell and Craig Dawson.
Tee 2: Eric Burrell and Rick Roswick, and Kevin Finnegan and Doug Ceasar.
Tee 3: John Walton and Lynn Nearing, and Jay Whipple and John Kelly.
Tee 4: Patrick Ryan and Jason Ryan, and Denny Cevasco and Tim Ryan.
Tee 5: Mike McCormack and Kevin Perez, and Kevin Rivenburgh and Paul Bird, followed by Corey Wolford and Andy Wolford, and James Wysor and Brian Wysor. Tee 6: Butch Shaver and John Zieno, and Dennis Rifanburg and Jeff Rivenburgh.
Tee 7: Doug Wilson and Joe Gutosky Jr., and Joseph M. Gutosky and Nate Gutosky, followed by Jim Johnson and Matt Pavia, and Shawn M. Aikins and Tom Revoir.
Tee 8: Mike Ferrarese and Jason Finch, and John Fern and Andy Annesi.
Tee 9: Doug E. Clark and Mark Stiles, and Rob Bowden and Wayne Bowden.
Tee 10: Stuart Hughes and John Ross, and John Swertfager and Lou Shaheen.
Tee 11: Ted Diorio and Joe Derecola, and Steve Haskins and Daryl Stevens.
Tee 12: Robert Tenney and Donny Lawrence, and Wayne Emmons and Steve Trojan.
Tee 13: Patrick Dowdall and Dave Huhtala, and John Huhtala and Shawn Sastri, followed by Phil Curley and John King, and David Martin and Tom Dixon.
Tee 14: Nicholas Brunick and Ryan Brewer, and Michael Janitz and Andrew Janitz.
Tee 15: Clif Tamsett and Chad Bradley, and Tom Porack and Brian Harmon, followed by Ken Coon and Dennis Duval, and Brian Ziegler and Roy Makintosh.
Tee 16: Chris Mattingly and John Mattingly, and Kyle Cashman and Steve Caiazza.
Tee 17: Keegan McCumiskey and Joe Pastore, and Charlie Wightman and Josh Morris.
Tee 18: Mark Mclaughlin and BJ Jackson, and Rick Ferris and Octavio Tirado.

Round two, Friday, August 5, at 8 a.m., will see the following teams tee off:

Tee 1: Tim Carson and Scott Seiler, and Justin Bennett and Scotty Seiler.
Tee 2: Rick Ferris and Octavio Tirado, and Jay Whipple and John Kelly.
Tee 3: Doug E. Clark and Mark Stiles, and Kyle Cashman and Steve Caiazza.
Tee 4: Corey Wolford and Andy Wolford, and Joseph Gutosky and and Nate Gutosky.
Tee 5: Denny Cevasco and Tim Ryan, and Wayne Emmons and Steve Trojan, followed by Robert Tenney and Donny Lawrence, and Kevin Rivenburgh and Paul Bird.
Tee 6: Joe Loftus and Brad Hagen, and James Wysor and Brian Wysor, followed by David Martin and Tom Dixon, and Doug Wilson and Joe Gutosky Jr.
Tee 7: Bryan Smith and Ken Benjamin, and Joe Brillinger and David Brillinger.
Tee 8: Jim Johnson and Matt Pavia, and Clif Tamsett and Chad Bradley.
Tee 9: Ted Diorio and Joe Derecola, and Tom Porack and Brian Harmon.
Tee 10: Eric Burrell and Rick Roswich, and Matt Burrell and Craig Dawson.
Tee 11: Spencer McCredy and Matt Meade, and Mike McCredy and Cory Seiler.
Tee 12: Bob Adsit and Mike Doscher, and Robert Branham and Mike Branham.
Tee 13: Patrick Dowdall and Dave Huhtala, and Michael Janitz and Andrew Janitz.
Tee 14: Keegan McCumiskey and Joe Pastore, and Roger Clarkson and Dan Tacinelli.
Tee 15: Steve Haskins and Daryl Stevens, and Ron Bowden and Wayne Bowden.
Tee 16: Shawn M. Aikins and Tom Revoir, and Mike Ferrarese and Jason Finch.
Tee 17: Mike McCormack and Kevin Perez, and Mark McLaughlin and BJ Jackson.
Tee 18: Chris Mattingly and John Mattingly, and Michael Thomas Hayes and Bryan Boyer.

Round two, Friday, August 5, at 1 p.m., will see the following teams tee off:

Tee 1: Mark Demellier and Jim Jones, and Hal Skillin and Bob Berry, followed by Chris Maynard and Craig Cleveland, and Lee Skillin and Jim Gorski.
Tee 2: Roger Gray and Keven Meyer, and Bill Potter and Roger Boudet.
Tee 3: John C. Wilson and Lynn Nearing, and Kevin A. Finnegan and Doug Ceasar.
Tee 4: Jordan Alger and Rob Krowiak, and Josh Bennett and Matt Morley.
Tee 5: Gerry Bennett and Aaron McEligot, and Terry Hagenbuch and Ernie Musarello, followed by Jim McIntyre and Mike Morse, and Charlie Wightman and Josh Morris.
Tee 6: Kurt Edwards and Kyle Edwards, and Tom Kozlowski and Eric Bailey, followed by Tim Borfitz and Josh Borfitz and David Carson and Timmy Clark.
Tee 7: Brendan Hannan and Mike Hannan, and Brent Miller and Ryan Kelly, followed by Chuck Kelly and Jacob Kelly, and Salvatore Testani and Earl Halaquist.
Tee 8: Jeff Cola and Al Hess, and Dennis Rifanburg and Jeff Rivenburgh, followed by Harry Myers and Josh Dolbin, and Matt Ryan and Matt Mayhew.
Tee 9: Aiden P. Hannan and Doug Coggins, and John Huhtala and Shawn Sastri.
Tee 10: John Mitchell and Tom Flanagan, and Mike Flanagan and Ed Larkin.
Tee 11: Phil Curley and John King, and John Swertfager and Lou Shaheen, followed by Derek Hughes and Casey Edwards, and Stuart Hughes and John Ross.
Tee 12: Lance Yerton and Steve Bennett, and Mark Matott and Rich Lathrop.
Tee 13: Joe McBride and Jason Bissett, and John Fern and Andy Annesi, followed by Tom Ryan and Greg Dicks, and Patrick Ryan and Jason Ryan.
Tee 14: Ken Coon and Dennis Duval, and George Gelsomin and Eric Gelsomin.
Tee 15: Brian Ziegler and Roy Makintosh, and Butch Shaver and John Zieno.
Tee 16: Nicholas Brunick and Ryan Brewer, and Paul Brunick and Matt Foote.
Tee 18: Leigh Baldwin and Ken Islemoe, and Pat Flanagan and Dave True, followed by Trip DeCordova and Kevin Nugent, and Kevin Walsh and Damien Rhoades.