Earl Wilson truly appreciates the simple things in life.

Receiving a warm hug from his wife, Lillie.

Spending time with his three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Walking 18 holes on the golf course.

Over the last few years, Wilson had trouble accomplishing the last thing on the list without significant discomfort in his right knee.

Then he had right knee replacement surgery in October at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.

Now he's back playing without needing a golf cart.

Any time he needs to be reminded of his success story, he can look at the billboard tucked between two buildings on the intersection of Bank and Montauk Street in New London. He's featured in an advertisement there for L+M's Joint Replacement Center.

"They're all calling me a celebrity on the golf course," said Wilson, 73, of New London. "I'm not a celebrity."

Wilson is a regular at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton where he's a long-time member, playing almost every day. He had his first post-surgery round in March.

He credits the L+M staff, especially Dr. Daniel Gaccione, for his speedy recovery, and improved golf game.

"It didn't bother me afterward," Wilson said of his knee. "I'm scoring better. I'm playing in the 70s now. Before that I was in low 80s. I have improved my game by two or three strokes. … I tell you what, I feel like a new person."

Wilson, a retired Mashantucket police officer, injured his knee about five years ago when he slipped on some ice early one morning at work. He waited until retirement to have the procedure done. He was a little nervous, having never been in the hospital before.

He was so pleased with his care that he called Bill Stanley, the hospital's vice president for development and community relations.

"They treated me like royalty," Wilson said. "I called Bill Stanley and told him I had a bone to pick with him. I said your nurses and doctors on the fourth floor, they killed me with kindness."

Whenever he drives by the billboard, he thinks about all the nice people in the hospital.

But Wilson's proudest accomplishment isn't bouncing from back knee replacement surgery or his picture appearing on a billboard.

It's being married to Lillie for 52 years.

"It's quite an accomplishment," Earl said.

Short putts

• The Pequot men's club championship, a stroke play event, will be decided this weekend. Round two tees off today and the final round is Sunday.

Seven golfers are within four strokes after the first round. James Lathrop is the leader with a 75 while Anthony Davison (76), defending champion George Thurrott (76), Chris Trisciuzzi (78), Scott Levesque (78), James Stack (78) and Bill Kersteter (79) are all in the hunt.

Chris Lavoie (80), Ron Allen Jr. (80) and Richard Simonds (83) round out the top 10.

In the net flight, Joseph Faulise (62), Kevin Turley (63), Kyle Johnson (65) and Mark Law (65) are in the lead foursome.

• Steve Chevalier earned the top seed in the Shennecossett Golf Course men's club championship event after winning medalist honors during qualifying play. He shot a two-round total of 139 (69-70).

Match play begins today for the 16 golfers in the championship flight. Bill Ernst (71-74-145) is the second seed, followed by Tom Ward (72-74-146), Ken Wetmore (71-76-147) and Sean Grimsey (73-75-148) in the top five.

The 36-hole final will be held on Aug. 10.

Last year, Andrew Madden defeated Wetmore, 3-and-1. Madden is not in this year's field.

Wetmore will try to win his club-record fifth championship overall.

• Last weekend's rain interrupted the Elmridge men's club championship 36-hole final after the first round. When play resumes on Sunday, Dave Award will try to protect his 1-up lead over defending champion Pete Stefanski.

• Patti Sini recently won the Shennecossett women's club senior championship while Mary Jane Burdick finished first in the net division.

Jen Hildebrand earned medalist honors during qualifying for the women's club championship.

• More than 40 golfers participated in the Old Lyme women's golf association's annual Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Golf Tournament on July 24. The event raised $4,239.

The foursome of Helene Nichols of Essex, Susan Fisher of Guilford, Hedy Korst of Old Lyme and Esther Boyle of Essex combined to win low gross honors.

Linda Tucker of Old Saybrook, Paula Bingham of Old Lyme, Jodie Godbout of Essex and Jackie DeMartino of Old Saybrook won low net.

• Congratulations to Adam Rainaud, an assistant pro at Black Hall Club in Old Lyme. He finished tied for seventh at the 80th Connecticut Open Championship at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton. He had a three-round total of 2-under 208 (73-64-71).

Upcoming events

• Shennecossett's member-guest tournament tees off on Sunday, Aug. 17. Cost is $125 per team. Stop by the pro shop to sign up.

• The Connecticut Mid-Amateur Championship is set for Aug. 19-20 at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury on Aug. 19-20.

• Elmridge is holding its member-guest tournament on the weekend of Aug. 16-17. The two-day, 36-hole, Four Ball stroke play event costs $180 per team. Golfers will play two different courses: White/Blue and Red/White. There will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start each day.

• Fox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam is hosting the CSGA's 33rd Senior Four Ball Championship on Aug. 25. Registration deadline is Aug. 6.

g.keefe@theday.com