Friends at the Brookline Golf Club (formerly Putterham Meadows)said a collective and surprise 'thank you' to town employee JimmyRozon, a familiar face behind the desk at the club's pro shop.
A week ago Wednesday, Rozon, who officially retires this monthafter more than 30 years with the town's recreation department, wasleaving the course at about 6 p.m. for the commute to his home inHingham. But the folks who planned the party took Rozon's car keysso that he had to remain on the premises, where he was feted by 100friends and club members who bought tickets for the dinner and a giftto Rozon. His wife and two daughters were on hand for thefestivities.
The party was hosted by the staff of the Putterham Golf CourseCafe, headed by Brookline resident David Rosenberg, who said that'Jimmy was very surprised and very honored, even though he had saidto me earlier this summer that he really didn't want a retirementdinner. But the response was so overwhelming, that we had to do it.'
Among the others who planned the event were club members TomMcCarthy and Joe Gulley, head pro and director of golf Jack Nevilleand assistant pro Frank Milbury.
Harvard's defense welcomes Fitzgerald
Ryan Fitzgerald of West Roxbury, a junior defensive tackle whoplayed at Roxbury Latin School and was a Globe All-Scholasticfootball choice, is listed as No. 2 defensive left tackle on theHarvard University football team, which had a 5-5 record last year.Harvard's season starts at home Sept. 16 against Holy Cross.Fitzgerald, considered the quickest of the Crimson's defensivelinemen, is a 6-foot-2-inch, 255-pounder. He earned his first varsityletter last season and had a quarterback sack to his credit. 'He hasexcellent instincts,' said Harvard head coach Tim Murphy, who willwelcome 111 candidates to preseason camp on campus Aug. 25.Fitzgerald, a 1998 graduate of Roxbury Latin, captained the football,basketball, and lacrosse teams his senior year. He was a three-timeall-Independent School League pick in football and was league co-MVPhis senior year. He was a two-year starter in basketball and wonfirst team all-ISL honors as a senior and was a two-year startingdefender on the lacrosse team.
Boston contingent joins Curry team
Steve Nelson, head football coach at Curry College of Milton, willwelcome four freshmen from the Boston area to his third preseasoncamp. Under Nelson, a former New England Patriots All-Pro linebacker,Curry posted its first back-to-back winning seasons since 1988-89.Nelson led Curry to a six-game turnaround in his debut season (6-4)and was named New England Football Conference Coach of the Year.Last year, the Colonels improved to 7-3.
The freshman contingent includes linebacker Bob Bertucci ofCambridge, a graduate of Matignon High; offensive guard Paul Burdetteof Dorchester, a graduate of John D. O'Bryant High; linebacker MarkCilibrasi out of East Boston High, and defensive back Derrick Lyonsof Dorchester and Boston English High.
Curry's returning players include junior linebacker Rance Cooleyof Hyde Park and Wellesley High; senior linebacker Chuck Israel ofMattapan and Reading High; sophomore linebacker Darrell Jones ofDorchester, a graduate of Cathedral High; sophomore tight end LarryMulrey of Somerville, who attended Matignon High, and seniordefensive end and tackle Damien Simpson of Dorchester, a graduate ofSouth Boston High.
John Hurley of South Boston, a 6-7 forward from Thayer Academy inBraintree, was a member of the MassHysteria team that competed inlast month's AAU National 17 and Under boys basketball championshipsat the Disney Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. The team finished witha 2-3 record, including victories over Ohio and Arkansas.
If you have a suggestion for a Sports Notebook item, contactMarvin Pave by e-mail at pave@globe.com, by telephone at 508-820-4223, by fax at 508-820-4258 or by mail at City Weekly, The BostonGlobe, Box 2378, Boston, MA 02107-2378.
