by Jay Gearan, Correspondent , TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

Indeed, the sun always seems to shine on this event, a major fundraiser for MHCC, the private, nonprofit agency committed to maximizing the independence and self-determination of seniors and the disabled by providing comprehensive information, advocacy and access to community long-term care.

Former Boston Red Sox shortstop Rico Petrocelli was the major attraction at this year's golf classic.

Petrocelli, who played for the Red Sox from 1963 to 1976, signed autographs, spoke to golfers and played in the tournament. He also spoke afterward at the banquet, recalling a humorous story about catching the final out in the pennant-clinching game in 1967, the year of the "Impossible Dream" team led by superstar Carl Yastrzemski.

Although Petrocelli's last major-league appearance was 33 years ago, he was easily remembered by most of the tournament participants as one of the all-time greats who had ever played at Fenway Park.

In his career, Petrocelli hit 210 home runs, drove in 773 runs and scored 653 times. He played 1,553 games and was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997. In 1971, Petrocelli moved to third base when the Red Sox acquired Luis Aparicio. At third, Petrocelli made only 11 errors in 463 chances. In the 1975 World Series, Petrocelli hit .308 and didn't make an error.

In the tournament's full-scramble format, the team of Dave and Paul Huhtala, Roger Myers, Marc Cormier and John Doran won first-place honors with a terrific score of 12-under-par 58.

"We were focused for the entire round," said the long-hitting Dave Huhtala, who generously invited several participants to the Huhtala Golf Classic, to be played next month at Gardner Municipal.

At 59, in second place, were Jerry Bankowski, Jeff Gallant, Brian Fontaine and Kevin Mack, followed at 60 by Robert Babineau, Mike Hebert, Henry St. Cyr and Jim Testa.

In fourth place at 61 were Dave Baker, Jim Dorman, Tom Illingsworth and Eric Lunberg, followed also at 61 by Frank Fergosi, Ed Manzi, Mike Fred and Anthony Piermarini.

In sixth place at 63 was Mr. Petrocelli's team, which included David Morrow, James Lanciani, Pat LaPointe and Roger Brooks. Two other teams at 63 included Richard Carraher, Paul Rich, Ron Kosnicki and John Coyne, along with Anthony Rozevicius, Steven Thebodo, Ray Boly and Kevin Sullivan.

Thebodo won the long drive for men, and Donna DiMarzio won the long drive for women.

Speaking at the post-tournament banquet in the Oak Hill dining room, Montachusett Home Care Corp. Executive Director Margaret Woovis praised the work of Michael Brennan, who came up with the idea of having a fundraising golf tournament 10 years ago and once again spearheaded this year's event.

Also involved in planning for the tournament were Edward Woodcome, chairman of the fundraising committee, and members Charles Bilionis, Sharon Bigelow, Judy Brennan, Richard Carraher, Danielle Darneille, Mary Ann Derzius, Carol Dubour, Janet Haley, Nacny Henn, Lydia Henshaw, Mary Kuizinas, Robert Lewis, Sheila Martin, Diane Reed and William Walsh.

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