Tiger, watch out.

Zolotas and Parajeckas wade into the professional

waters

By Gary Larrabee

Gary Larrabee

They come from opposite directions, but their goals, as the competitive golf season approaches the August/September homestretch, are identical. Recent college graduates George Zolotas of Ipswich and Jason Parajeckas of Woburn turned professional this spring; professional as in “playing” professional – the ultimate test of their shot-making skills. They are determined to make their living as tournament golfers, playing for cash. Based on their debut seasons as of early August, they have a chance.

Zolotas, 22, hails from a prominent Peabody business family now based in Ipswich, where his mom, Gail, runs Zolotas Kitchen and Bath and dad, Michael, owns and operates Zolotas Brothers Plumbing. Parajeckas, 23, as the son of long-time Greater Boston club professional Paul Parajeckas, currently the head pro at Pleasant Valley, has been eating and sleeping golf for as long as he can remember.

Since graduating from St. John’s University, Zolotas has had a most encouraging debut campaign. The former St. John’s Prep ace finished 17th in his very first event at the Vermont Open and followed up a week later with a fifth at the Massachusetts Open and a sixth at the Portland Open, shooting 67 and 65 the last two days. Maybe not good enough to join Tiger’s Nike Golf Staff, but a positive start.

Parajeckas, meanwhile, a long-time Woburn resident, graduated in May from UConn where he was a five-time tourney winner and raised more than a few eyebrows his first several weeks as a pro. The 6-4, 190-pounder was medalist at the local U.S. Open qualifier in Westerly, R.I., with a 69, won co-medalist honors at a Mass. Open qualifier with a 72 at Woodland, finished sixth at the Cape Cod Open, ninth at the Vermont Open and 27th at the Bangor Open. More recently he was low pro with a 69 at an NEPGA pro-am at Lexington GC.

Jason and George hoped to qualify in August for the New England Open, a $125,000 event at Lake Winnepesaukee CC in New Hampshire. Zolotas also hoped to qualify for a Nationwide Tour event in Rochester, N.Y. Chums on and off the course, the pair realizes they have mountains of gargantuan proportion to climb if they are to make it just to the Nationwide Tour, never mind the Tiger – I mean PGA – Tour. But success stories emerge yearly from players of humbler origins than George and Jason, so, as my pappy, Ol’ Russ, still says today at the ripe young age of 91, “ya nevva know.”

“I’ll give it three, four years,” says Zolotas, who plays out of Ferncroft and was initially introduced to the game by his grandfather, Chris Eliopoulos. “I believe I’ve got a fair foundation for my game and plenty of room to improve. I know I’ve got tons of work ahead of me, but the opportunity is there. I’ve got to take it. I simply have to practice and play hard and keep believing in myself.”

Zolotas, author of a course-record 61, 10 under, while representing St. John’s University at a tournament his junior year at Indian Hills CC in Florida, has the right build at 6-1, 190, and a sound temperament. But he does have one issue physically – an annoying right shoulder pain caused by a slightly torn rotator cuff.

“Surgery isn’t necessary and probably wouldn’t be helpful,” says Zolotas who works with Charles River teaching pro Shawn Hester. “I’ll play through it and hope for the best. Other guys have played through injuries like this and made it on the PGA Tour. Maybe I can, too, long shot as it may be.”

Zolotas’ ultimate test will come in late fall when he attends PGA Tour Qualifying School.

Parajeckas has received top-notch guidance from his dad who has been a top player in the NEPGA section for years and has played in several Champions Tour events since turning 50.

“My father has been a wonderful influence,” Jason said. “He knows I’ve had pro ambitions since I was a kid and he never pushed me. He’s backed me 100 percent. I’ve learned most everything from him, but I also know I’ve got to prove myself as a player all on my own. It’s only my caddy, my equipment and me out on the golf course when the bell rings.”

We couldn’t have two nicer young men representing our region in the world-wide golfing wars. May they give it their best shots. That’s all they can ask of themselves – and we of them.

Gary Larrabee, the author of The Green and Gold Coast: The History of Golf on Boston's North Shore, 1893-2001, has been covering the North Shore/Greater Boston golf scene for 35 years. He has written centennial histories for Salem, Winchester and Wenham Country Clubs. Catch his golf segment every Saturday morning on the North Shore Sports Desk on 104.9 FM from 8 to 9 a.m.