Roger Ratchford '51

One does not normally think of golf as a major high school sport, but there was nothing minor about Roger Ratchford’s accomplishments as coach.

In a stellar career that spanned 40 seasons (1966-2005), Ratchford racked up nearly 700 wins and presided over five state championship teams. His credo for success was simple: keep his players in shape, schedule the toughest opponents and play on the toughest courses. The end result was phenomenal: an overall record of 690-118-6.

Although he never had an undefeated season, seven of Ratchford’s squads finished with only one loss. In 1998, a second-place finish in the Division I state championships derailed Prep’s shot at a perfect season (25-1).

He had a host of all-state players throughout his tenure and one – David Renzulli (‘86), currently the head professional at the Country Club of Fairfield – made All-American his senior season.

Many of his players went on to successful careers as club professionals, including the aforementioned Renzulli; Mike Martin (‘82), who played in a U.S. Open; Frank Dully (‘85), Doug Holub (‘90) and Mike Laganza (‘90), to name a few.

Ratchford was named CHSCA Coach of the Year in 1983.

Nowadays, the former classics educator at Prep teaches a weekly Latin class to the nuns at the Convent of St. Birgitta in Darien.