On or off the golf course, John Paesani has never lacked confidence.

So he had complete faith that he'd find a good position after his leaving Norwich Golf Course last fall, ending a 22-year career there.

The former Norwich head professional couldn't be happier with how things worked out.

He's landed at the The Bay Club in Mattapoisett, Mass. He's an assistant pro under Greg Yeomans, a former Norwich member who once worked for Paesani there in the early 90's.

"I was very, very comfortable in having a plan and confident that I would land somewhere on my feet," Paesani said Friday. "I wanted to be at a place where the skills that I possess were valued. I think I couldn't have found a better spot."

The new job has energized Paesani who sounded like a happy man.

He raved about Bay Club, an upscale private course designed by Brad Faxon. He also raved about his new boss.

Yeomans, a Ledyard High School and UConn graduate, was hired as The Bay Club's first pro when it opened nine years ago.

While checking online job postings, Paesani learned of the opening at The Bay Club and called Yeomans. He was hired in April.

"We started talking and once I got him to take me seriously, we worked something out…," Paesani said. "I couldn't be with a better professional. Greg got here and started here from the ground up and has been actively involved with everything to do with this club."

Paesani's duties include a little bit of everything, from golf operations to tournament administration to teaching.

The job description fits what he was looking for.

"I had wanted to go into more of a support role in the future of my golf career," Paesani said. "It probably happened a little bit earlier than I wanted because I have a son still in high school in Connecticut. But this was the hand that I was dealt and I'm running with it."

Yeomans has encouraged Paesani to continue his playing career.

Paesani, who qualified for the U.S. Senior Open in 2010 and 2011, competed in the New England PGA Senior Championship on Wednesday and Thursday at Okemo Valley Golf Course in Ludlow, Vt. He tied for 10th with a 4-over 144 (70-74).

Short putts

• Jim McMahon, who works part-time in the pro shop at Shennecossett Golf Course, is looking forward to playing with his son, Shawn, in the Connecticut State Golf Association Father and Son Tournament on Monday at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford.

They've played in the event for the last 12 years. Their best finish is seventh place.

"It's a lot of fun," Jim said.

They're both familiar with the course. Shawn is a member and he plays a round there with his father every Father's Day.

"We've been doing that for years," Jim said.

Other local father-son duos playing include: Mark and Richard Broadbent of Shenny, Thomas Riley of Great Neck Country Club and David Riley of Pequot Golf Club, Ron Soccoli and Ron Soccoli Jr. of Black Hall.

Matt Smith, the 2012 state amateur champion, and father Dale, who both play out of Quinnatisset Country Club in Thompson, also are in the field.

• Stonington Country Club crowned its junior club champion on Tuesday. Ben Rauh finished first in the 18-hole stroke play event while Sam Ognisty was the runner-up.

The match actually started on Sunday but thunderstorms forced the match to be completed on Tuesday.

In the nine hole match, Jack Ognisty placed first and Alexander Hawley took second.

• Justin Bohara earned the top seed in the Norwich junior championship. Bohara plays No. 4 Brian LaCombe in the semifinals today while No. 2 Frankie Lee faces No. 3 A.J. Sanca.

Winners will meet in the finals on Sunday, starting at 8:16 a.m.

• Nick Torrance of East Lyme tied for eighth with a 4-over 220 (74-73-73) at the 78th Connecticut Open earlier this week at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. Andrew Gruss, a Waterford High School graduate now living in Trumbull, also tied for eighth.

• The Shennecossett men's club championship will be decided this weekend. In today's semifinals, top-seeded Kenny Wetmore plays No. 13 Tom Brennan while defending champion Steve Chevalier takes on No. 3 Tim Sisk.

The 36-hole final tees off Sunday morning.

• The first round of the Pequot Golf Club men's club championship takes place today. It is a stroke play tournament. Three-time champion James Lathrop is the favorite.

Second round play is Sunday. The third and final round is set for Aug. 12.

In other Pequot news, Joe Pratt Jr. recently beat Chris Trisciuzzi, 3 and 2, to win the Pequot President's Cup.

• Tori Langen of Groton recently competed in the 64th Connecticut Women's Golf Association Seniors' Championship on July 26-27 at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury. She finished 18th with a two-round total of 185 (92-93).

• Local clubs will be well-represented at the Connecticut Section PGA Pro-Assistant Championship on Tuesday at Madison Country Club.

Andrew Campbell and Darren Falk of Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, Robert Barbeau and Joshua Bialowans of Old Lyme Country Club, and Michael Myszkowski and Gabe Carr-Harris of Stonington Country Club are in the field.

Lake of Isles has three teams: Patrick Boucher and James Gladue, Archie Cart and Rory Maxwell, and Stephen Kahler and Daniel Pendola.

Upcoming events

• Stonington Country Club's Championship Sunday is Aug. 12. Finals for both men and women will tee off at around 11:30 a.m.

• The Black Hall Club in Old Lyme is hosting a U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifier on Aug. 13. Club members Bill Hermanson and Phil Perry are both in the field.

• Shennecossett is holding a three-day junior clinic for ages 8-16, running from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Aug. 14-16. Cost is $30. To register, stop by the pro shop.