Caparcos win father-son golf tournament

Mike Caparco has enjoyed a variety of storied successes in Johnston sports.

In his younger years, Caparco played quarterback and helped the pre-teen Panthers stake claim to three Super Bowl titles. He was also the starting catcher for Johnston’s Junior Little League World Series team.

The recent JHS grad was also a three-year starter in football and a Panthers’ captain. He started three years in baseball while enjoying success after success as a two-time All-State wrestler.

Yet, his future – as far as sports are concerned – lies in golf.

“It’s an alternate shot,” Caparco’s father Mike mused this week. “It’s a difficult game and only started playing the game seriously in May of this year. “However, he’s come a long way and that’s the amazing part; golf as everyone knows is a real hard game to play.”

The younger Caparco, though, seems to be catching on like a natural.

While dear ol’ dad is a two handicap, his son – he so proudly notes: “is already a five handicap.”

And that may just explain why the Caparcos recently staked claim to the prestigious RIGA (Rhode Island Golf Association) Father & Son Tournament championship at famed Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln.

The Caparcos, who play out of Metacomet Country Club in East Providence and shot a four over par 75, edging two other father-and-son tandems that both finished at 76.

The highlight of our day, said Mike Caparco, Sr., was when his son drove the dog leg right on a 306-yard par 4. Mike Sr. had a 6-foot putt for an eagle and just missed, but young Mike made a valuable birdie putt.

“After a messy start on 17 and a bogey we had a wedge on 18,” Mike Sr. said. “And we made that and went on to clinch the championship by a single stroke. What a great thrill to win a golf title with your son as your partner.”

The Caparcos, like other golfers, had to overcome what Mike Sr. called “messy greens” to win their first-ever father-and-son golf title. But because Mike Jr. drives it a long way, so many of the duos approach shots were from inside 100 yards.

And that should be a huge asset for Caparco Jr. who will enroll at Rhode Island College in the fall and join the Anchormen’s championship caliber golf program. RIC is the Greater Northeast Athletic Conference defending champion.

As yet another example of Mike Caparco Jr.’s talents, the 17-year-old Johnstonian recently made the cut for the prestigious RI State Amateur Golf Tournament on his first-ever try. His father also qualified but missed match play by three strokes.

Mike Caparco Jr. shot 77 to get into the State Amateur tourney but did not make match play. His next outing is set for Aug. 7 when Mike Caparco Jr. will play in the State Junior Amateur Tournament.