CT Golf News

"They kept the light on for me," Coscina said, laughing.

Life can be a bit humbling when bogeys or worse plague your golf game. But despite struggling most of 1996, Coscina considers himself one of the privileged few after getting a chance to rub elbows with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Ray Floyd and become close friends with Dale Douglass, Charles Coody, Rives McBee and Terry Carlson, another qualifying school graduate last year.

"It's a big adjustment as far as traveling and getting to know the golf courses and players," said Coscina, 51, of East Windsor, Conn. "And it's a lot different mentally than going out to play with your buddies.

"You have to drive the ball well and learn how to score out there. I was probably my own worst enemy for awhile, trying to make birdies before I even got to the first tee. And I had a terrible year putting, even tried closing my eyes during qualifying school in early November.

"But that's all part of the learning experience. I just hope I get another shot because not knowing the courses was a big disadvantage, maybe 2-3 shots a round...Being on tour was something everyone should have an opportunity to do. Everyone, especially the top players, are treated like kings. I met a lot of great people and made a lot of new friends."

Coscina finished 12th in the 1995 qualifying school but was 91st on the money list this year, 60 spots below exempt status for 1997. But Coscina took the first step toward regaining his tour card when he shot 2-under-par 70 in the final round to make the 291 cut in the regional qualifying Nov. 5-8 in Kissimmee, Fla.

Now, he's confident he can be among the low 16 in the qualifying finals Nov. 19-22 at the Tournament Players Club Valley Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. "I know a majority of the guys who made it, and I've beaten them before," Coscina said. "Now it's a matter of getting used to the Bermuda grass and making some putts."

Coscina didn't see anything resembling Bermuda grass growing up in Connecticut. He learned to play golf from his father, Cas, and began his career as a caddie master at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington. He then was an assistant at Tumble Brook CC in Bloomfield (1965-69) and head pro at Cliffside CC in Simsbury (1970-85).

Coscina won the Connecticut Section PGA Championship a record eight times, was player of the year five times and served on the Section's board of directors. He won numerous other local tournaments and also qualified for 15 Greater Hartford Opens, three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens. This year, he was elected to the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame.

Coscina decided to try to qualify for the Senior Tour last fall and received financial backing from some friends at Wampanoag CC in West Hartford, where he is a member. His weekly expenses averaged $1,500, and it was difficult for Coscina to cut costs because an ailing back that forced him to fly almost everywhere. And as a conditional player, Coscina often had to try to qualify the Monday before a tournament.

Coscina said it can get lonely on tour, but he called home every night to his wife Trudy. "That gave me a little bonding," Coscina said. "And I made some friends who were helpful getting through the days and weeks.

"It's like a family out there, and there are a lot of characters. But the guys are very competitive, practice very hard and don't take much time off. And the courses aren't as easy as people think."

But he'd love another shot at the big time.

"In the back of my mind I guess the opposition was a bit intimidating at first, but then I got accustomed to and played with most of the guys," Coscina said. "I know I can compete out there, and my game is in more control than ever. But like at any level, you just need that first breakthrough. A couple of good rounds and a good paycheck breeds more good rounds and paychecks."

Bruce Berlet is a staff writer for The Hartford Courant.