Alice Cooper rocked Pequot Golf Course

Jun. 29—Legendary shock rocker Alice Cooper has played before sold-out crowds around the world during his amazing 50-plus year music career.

In March, Cooper played at Pequot Golf Club in Stonington.

Cooper and a few bandmates showed up at Pequot for a round of golf back on the course's opening day on March 18.

An avid golfer, Cooper, 73, was in the area for his show at the Foxwoods. As he so often does, he squeezed in a round before performing that night.

His bass guitarist, Chuck Garric, called Pequot's pro shop to set up the visit.

Cooper and his pals made quite an impression on Pequot pro Bob Hill and course employees.

Apparently, Cooper doesn't live up to one of his hit songs, 'No More Mr. Nice Guy.'

"Just a great guy," Hill said. "He's unbelievable. Just an average guy."

Not an average golfer, though.

Cooper has a single digit handicap.

He took up golf years ago to shake a drinking problem and fell in love with the sport. He plays about 250 rounds per year. He wrote a book that's called, 'Alice Cooper, Golf Monster: A Rock 'n' Roller's 12 Steps to Becoming a Golf Addict.'

Since first picking up a golf club over 35 years ago, Cooper has played with everyone from Dean Martin to John Daly.

At Pequot, Cooper completed the back nine with a 2-over 38.

"I noticed that all of his clubs are hybrids," Hill said. "And he's been with Callaway for years and years. Johnny Miller is his mentor. He used to play with him all the time. ... He's very good."

Hill and pro shop employee Trevor Hutchinson, a Grasso Tech High School graduate and The Day's 2014 All-Area Golfer of the Year, attended Cooper's show that night.

"It was awesome," said Hutchinson, who had seen Cooper perform once before.

After the show, Cooper headed to Maryland for the next stop on his tour. He was on the golf course by 6:30 a.m. the next morning.

"What a life," Hill said. "That's what Alice said, 'If you want to play golf, be a musician.' "

An autographed picture of Cooper and playing partners Garric and Ryan Roxie, the band's lead guitarist, is hanging in the pro shop.

It's a day that Hill will never forget.

"That was fun," Hill said.

Short putts

There's still time to sign up for the 14th Annual Ledyard High School Athletics Golf Tournament, which will tee off on Monday at the Lake of Isles in North Stonington. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. Entry fee of $150 per golfer includes cart, breakfast/lunch on the course and a gift. To grab one of the last few spots left in the field, contact Ledyard athletic director Jim Buonocore at jbuonocore@ledyard.net

Anthony Kargul won the Elmridge Senior Club Championship last weekend, defeating Lou Laudone in the final match. Kargul finished second in 2012 and 2018 before breaking through with his first senior title. It was only the second time that somebody other than Pete Stefanski captured the championship since 2014. Ian Mackay was the champion in 2017.

In the first flight, Bob Gebler defeated Gary Sicard in the championship match. Mike Classey won the second flight title, beating Phil Votto.

The duo of Todd Lavoie and Josh Cameron captured the Norwich Golf Course Member-Guest tournament title on Sunday, firing a 66. Bill Glenney and Matt Lame took second with a 68. And Demo Angelopolous and Chris Heller, Jr., won the net division with a 58.

During that event, Scott Levesque recorded his first hole-in-one on the 13th hole.

Dave Jones of the Mohegan Sun Golf Club earned his second Connecticut State Golf Association One Day tournament victory this month, shooting a 4-under 68 Monday at Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield. He finished with six birdies. Bill Hermanson of Black Hall Club took third in the Siderowf Gross Division.

Black Hall Club in Old Lyme is hosting the 103rd Connecticut Women's Golf Association Championship this week. A champion will be crowned on Thursday.

Jantzen Vargas of Quinnatisset Country Club reached the quarterfinals of the 120th Connecticut Amateur Championship last week at Ridgewood Country Club in Danbury. Vargas, a 2004 Killingly High School graduate, lost to eventual champion Ben Carpenter of the Country Club of Darien by a 1-up score.

Jeff Kollwitz recently joined the hole-in-one club. Playing in his weekly league, which is called The Really Pathetic Golf Association, at Pequot Golf Club, he aced the 166-yard, sixth hole, on June 8.

Upcoming events

The Norwich Senior Club Championship, a two-round competition, is set for July 9 and July 10.

Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton will host the Connecticut Senior Open for the 25th straight year on July 11-12.

The 96th Norwich Invitational will take place the weekend of July 15-17. It is the marquee local golf event of the season. Cost is $85 for members, $155 for non-members.

Black Hall Club is hosting a qualifier for the 67th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship on Monday, July 18.

Please send golf results, hole-in-one information, etc., to g.keefe@theday.com