Waterford teams from the early '80s were likely the area's best

The 1980 Waterford High School state championship team would figure prominently in any discussion about the top local golf team of all-time.

The Lancers won the Division II state championship and repeated in 1981.

Only three other teams from this area have won multiple state golf titles dating back to 1931.

Stonington won championships in 1979 and 1995. Old Saybrook won consecutive titles in 1973 and 1974. Waterford went back-to-back again in 2000 and 2001.

Jeff Hedden, Dave Jones, Dan Hendrickson and Chris Hedden comprised the starting four for the Lancers in 1980.

And Tony Susi was the No. 5 man. Greg Anglim served as coach.

They lost only one match.

"That was a great team," said Chris Hedden, who still lives in Waterford.

Hedden was just a freshman while his brother, Jeff, was a junior and Jones and Hendrickson were seniors.

They all shared a competitive fire and passion for the game.

"It was a lot of fun, believe me," Chris Hedden said. "We all loved the game so much and we loved to practice. We loved to beat the snot out of other teams."

As Chris discovered earlier this month during a reunion match, his teammates can still shoot a great round on any given day.

Playing with Jones and Hendrickson at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton, Chris fired a 70 and only placed third in his group. Jones shot a 69 and Hendrickson had a 66, one shot shy of tying the course record.

"I'm probably the one that's slipped the most because I don't play as much competitively," Hedden said.

They've all gone on to experience success on the golf scene.

Jones, who now lives in Norwich, was low amateur at the Connecticut Senior Open and placed fourth overall.

Jeff Hedden dominated the state golf circuit in recent years, winning three straight Connecticut State Golf Association player-of-the-year awards and the 2011 New England Amateur Championship before moving to North Carolina last year.

Chris Hedden, a former two-time state individual champion, is a teaching pro, working out of Great Brook Sports in Groton and the East Lyme Driving Range.

"I couldn't enjoy my job any more," Chris said. "I have one of the best jobs in the world."

Hendrickson plays USGA events in North Carolina. Susi competes on the state amateur circuit and shot a 69 in the qualifying round at the Norwich Invitational earlier this month.

Susi also remains close with his former high school teammates, especially Jones. They both belong to Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug in Baltic.

"As much as I like to chase him, there's still a big difference between us," Susi said of their golf games. "We have a standing bet every time we play. If he beats me, I'll give him a dollar. If I beat him, he'll give me five dollars."

Let's just say Susi hasn't bought a vacation home with his winnings. But he did beat Jones in the Norwich Invite qualifying round.

Short putts

• Kenny Wetmore is the top seed in Shennecossett men's club championship play. First round action begins today. Defending champion Steve Chevalier is the No. 2 seed and Tim Sisk is No. 3.

Semifinals are Saturday, Aug. 4, and the championship final is scheduled for Aug. 5.

In women's club championship play, Rachael Caldwell is the top seed, followed by Dawn Sisk and Margaret Hirsch. The semifinal round is Aug. 4 and final Aug. 11.

• At Elmridge Golf Course in Pawcatuck, men's club championship play has reached the semifinals. Today, Dave Award, the top seed, faces No. 4 Anthony Kargul, a former champion, while defending champion Dan Terray plays No. 6 Duane Vance.

The 36-hole final will tee off at 8 a.m. Sunday.

In the first flight final, Nick Delauro faces Tom DeSantis. Jesse Pruitt plays Dave Robarge in the second flight.

• Several local golfers competed in the 18-hole Wethersfield Junior Open on Monday. Joey Barile of Griswold tied for third with a 2-over 73. Nick Hedden of Waterford tied for 16th with a 78 while Mitchell Allen of Gales Ferry and Sean Shepard of Griswold both fired a 79, tying for 22nd.

Francis Shields of East Lyme also finished in the top 30, tying for 29th with an 80.

• The 78th Connecticut Open starts Monday at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien.

Here's a list of local golfers in the field: Andrew Campbell of Niantic, Archie Cart of North Stonington, Kevin Shea of Waterford, James Jones of Ledyard, Phil Perry of East Lyme, Casey Roan of Gales Ferry and Nick Torrance of East Lyme. Former Waterford resident Andrew Gruss, who now lives in Trumbull, also is playing

Six former champions will be playing, including 2012 winner Frank Bensel of Norwalk.

• Chuck Slenker, the teaching pro at Elmridge, is looking for golfers and sponsors for the First Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project. The event is Aug. 24 at Shennecossett. All proceeds go to the Wounded Warriors Project. Entry fee is $100 per person and $400 per team.

Slenker is a Vietnam veteran. Shennecossett pro Todd Goodhue also is helping out.

"I'm hoping the turnout is good," Slenker said.

For more information, contact Slenker at (860) 287-2043 or Goodhue at (860) 448-1867.

Please support a worthy cause.

• Hole-in-one fever has hit Cedar Ridge Golf Course in East Lyme this month.

The following golfers recorded aces: Liam Williams, 122-yard, No. 7; David Bannon Sr., 155-yard, 10th hole; Steve Mednick, 166-yard, No. 9; John Ochs, 145-yard, 13th; Mark Hill, 160-yard, No. 2; and Mick Pascale, 103-yard, No. 4.

For Bannon and Pascale, it was their first ace.

In other Cedar Ridge news, the club's popular junior program is underway, running every Wednesday during the summer. Drew Bradley, Ross Krasner, Jake Rowe and Rich Gilland combined to win the opening day scramble, shooting an even par 27.

On Wednesday, Bradley had the low score with a 35. Krasner (38) was second and Rowe (39) took third.

For more information about the program, contact Chris Medeiros at Cedar Ridge at (860) 691-4568.

• The Pequot Women's Golf Association is enjoying another successful and fun summer season. The PWGA recently ran its annual handicap tournament. Shirley McFadden of Noank finished first and Linda Hatch of Waterford took second.

Upcoming events

• The Norwich Senior Invitational will tee off on Thursday, Aug. 2. It is a one-day, stroke play event with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

• Lakes of Isles in North Stonington holds one of the best local junior championship tournaments. This summer's event is Sunday, Aug. 26. Golfers can sign up for either nine or 18 holes. It is open to boys and girls from the ages of 10 to 17.

For more information, go to www.lakeofisles.com/Junior-Championship-Application.html