Rainaud enjoying his latest challenge at famed Winged Foot
A dam Rainaud sounds like someone living his dream life. After spending six years as an assistant pro at Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, Rainaud moved on to a new golf home at the famed Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., where he's worked since last spring.
He's embracing the challenges that come with his new assistant's job and enjoying facing stiff competition in Metropolitan Section PGA tournaments.
"I love it," Rainaud said about working at Winged Foot. "It's a 10 out of 10. It's exceeded my expectations, every aspect of it and the members. I couldn't be happier. I absolutely love working there. Two of the best courses in the world at one place and a pretty unbelievable clubhouse and a place with a lot of history.
"Every day I'm there I pinch myself and can't believe I'm getting paid to be there."
Rainaud, 31, is back playing in the state this week trying to defend his title at the 86th Connecticut PGA Championship, a 36-hole stroke play event that started Tuesday at Keney Park Golf Course in Hartford. He fired a 2-under 68 in the first round, sitting in fourth place place heading into Wednesday's final round. His day included seven birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey.
Kyle Bilodeau leads with a 6-under 64 while Casey Roan of Shennecosset Golf Course is tied for 20th at 2-over 72.
The Keney Park course suits Rainaud's short game. Last year, he finished with a winning total of 5-under 135 and shot a course record 67 in the second round while capturing his second Connecticut PGA Championship crown.
"It's a really fun course to play," Rainaud said.
When reached by phone on Monday night, Rainaud spoke about how much he looked forward to playing with Tony Kelley, a pro at Wyckoff Country Club in Holyoke, Mass., in his group on Tuesday. Kelley has five Connecticut PGA titles on his resume.
"He was my mentor growing up," Rainaud said. "I was a member at his course and worked for him. He was always the PGA pro I looked up to. We've become good friends. I was pretty happy I was paired with Tony."
In recent years, Rainaud has been a dominant force on the Connecticut Section PGA scene. He's won the section's player of the year award three straight years and been the assistant's player of the year six out of the last seven years, including the last four.
Rainaud has continued to play well this season.
He qualified for the 99th PGA Championship by tying for fifth at the 50th PGA Club Professionals Championship in June at Sunriver Resort in Oregon. He failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship earlier this month at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C., shooting rounds of 81 and 78.
In the Metropolitan Section PGA play, Rainaud regularly finishes in the top 10. He's ranked third in the player of the year standings. He tied for third at the Metropolitan Professional Championship in late July at Fairview Country Club in Greenwich. A sizzling six-under 66 in the third and final round gave him a final total of 212 strokes.
"It's been fun playing in the Met section so far this year," Rainaud said. "The courses are longer and more difficult and obviously the talent out there is pretty remarkable. ... The competition is definitely a lot tougher."
"The better talent you're up against ends up raising your own game. It hasn't been instantaneous but I'm doing okay. I've got some work to do. My goal is to start winning Met Section events."
Prior to this week's Connecticut PGA Championship, Rainaud played about four times a week to get to his game in tournament shape.
"I feel like my game is pretty good," Rainaud said. "The last four years have been pretty steady and similar. This year, I've luckily peaked at the right time for tournaments."
The only exception came at the Connecticut Open at Ellington Ridge Country Club. Rainaud, the defending champion, tied for 27th.
Rainaud has a busy tournament schedule ahead. He'll play in the National Car Rental Met Assistant Championship at the Bethpage State Park Red course in Farmingdale, N.Y., next week.
During his Connecticut Section days, he won all six assistant championship tournaments that he participated in.
"It's sad that I can't try to extend it," Rainaud said. "Hopefully, I can start a new streak down (at Bethpage)."
Short putts
• Championship Monday at Great Neck Country Club in Waterford is expected to feature some fiercely competitive matches. First, semifinal action happens on Saturday.
Four golfers are still battling in the men's championship flight. Eric Bergstrom, who's won four of the last five titles, faces Tim Haggerty in the semifinals on Saturday while Andrew Cavasino and Tony Siragusa meet in the other match.
The women's final will pit Sue Schmidtknecht against Karen Anderson, the top two seeds.
The semifinals pairings are set in the men's first flight, as John Golden faces Ted Yagle and Don Cleary playing Bill Mayo on Saturday. Marty Guinn has advanced to the championship round in the second flight, awaiting the winner of Alex Tryon and Tom Poblete.
In the third flight, Jim Butler plays John Conroy in one semifinal and Mike Powell squares off against Jim Williams in the other match.
• The Jason Gigliotti Ninth Annual Memorial Golf Tournament was another huge success. The event took place Aug. 14 at Great Neck Country Club in Waterford. The quartet of Don Venditto, Scott Venditto, Dan Venditto and Casey O'Neill captured first place, combining for a 59. Josh Tiven, Matt Boland, Ben Tiven and Tom Boland placed second with a 60. Third place went to Jami Petchark, Kevin Petchark, Jack Voelker and Jim Cavalieri with a 61.
Zeth Nolda had the longest drive on the ninth hole while Chris Saja was closest to the pin on the third hole.
• The Great Neck Women's Association recently ran a golf tournament that raised $10,700 for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation. The association appreciated the support of Dave and Ann Mortimer, pro Kevin Shea and Langley's Restaurant.
• At Old Lyme Country Club, Helene Nichols added to her list of women's club championships by beating Carolyn Daddona, 2-up, in the final last week. It is her eighth title.
It was a tight match until the finish, as Nichols led by just one hole heading to the 18th before closing out the win. Karen Danielson served as her caddy. The two finalists celebrated the day with their fellow members after the 18-hole match.
• Jack Cannon captured the Stonington Men's Senior Club Championship on Aug. 20, beating Marc Ginsberg in an 18-hole match.
• Five local golfers finished in the top 10 last week in the 32nd Connecticut Public Links event at Norwich Golf Course. Playing on his home course, Jeff DeLucia tied for second place with a two-round total of even-par 142 (74-68) and finished one shot behind winner Dave Szewczul of Tunxis Plantation.
Josh Cameron, the Norwich Invitational champion, tied for sixth at 144 (71-73) while James Lathrop of Pequot Golf Club, Dave Jones of Mohegan Sun Golf Club and Drew Aitken of Connecticut National all tied for ninth at 145.
• Hole-in-one club: Also at Old Lyme, 94-year-old Jack Soper of Old Saybrook used a three wood to record his first ace on Aug. 14. He accomplished the feat on the 120-yard, third hole.
Using a nine wood, Cheryl Lavigne aced the 125-yard, No. 2 hole at Stonington Country Club. Her playing partner was Brad Lavigne.
Steven Gaboury recorded his hole-in-one on the 210-yard, ninth hole during Men's Twlight League action at Norwich Golf Course on Aug. 24. Tim Griffin, Jon Caron and Mike Nevins witnessed the event.
Upcoming events
• Southeastern Connecticut golfers will be well-represented at the 12th Tournament of Champions at Bull's Bridge Golf Club in South Kent on Tuesday.
Mitch Marron and Richard Wilczewski of Shennecossett, James Lathrop of Pequot Golf Club, Josh Cameron of Norwich, Bill Hermanson of Black Hall Club will be in the field. Cameron placed second in last year's tournament.
• Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton is the site of the Jack Kelly PGA Tournament of Champions on Sunday.
• Black Hall Club in Old Lyme is hosting the 30th Connecticut Mid-Amateur Championship on Sept. 25-26.