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Connecticut PGA Championship

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The Connecticut PGA Championship is a golf tournament that is a championship of the Connecticut section of the PGA of America.[1] The early years of the tournament were dominated by Gene Kunes and Joe Turnesa who won twice apiece. In the mid-1930s, a number of significant changes were made, including adding two rounds to the tournament and then changing the format to match play. In the mid-20th century the tournament was dominated by Eddie Burke and Bob Kay. During this era, both won the tournament five times each though Kay defeated Burke in both of their finals matches. In modern times, the tournament is best known for the 2002 victory of Suzy Whaley, the only female to win the event.

History

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The first tournament was in 1929. Late in the day, the clubhouse leaders entered a playoff to determine the championship. Unbeknownst to them, Maurice Kearney was still on the course with a chance to win. While he was on the 18th hole, he notified the players in the playoff, who were playing on the first hole, that he had a chance to win outright. Kearney did indeed win outright and "the playoff" was terminated.[2] The following year George Siebert won the event defeating Peter Manning, who was also runner-up the previous year, in a playoff.[3]

In the early 1930s, the tournament was dominated by Gene Kunes and Joe Turnesa. Kunes won the tournament in 1931 and 1933.[3] In 1935, Turnesa was the "leader most of the way" and ultimately won by five shots. His final total was 145, one-under-par, to break the tournament record.[4] The following year, as defending champion, he was considered to be the favorite.[5] However, it was Willie Hunter who took the lead after the first three rounds. He led by four over Turnesa entering the final round.[6] However, in the final round Turnesa birdied the first two holes and the tournament suddenly "cracked wide open" when Hunter triple-bogeyed the par-5 5th hole. Hunter continued to struggle and Turnesa expanded his lead. Despite bogeys on the final four holes Turnesa won easily.[7]

It was later decided that the tournament would be moved up a couple months earlier, in August.[8] In April 1936, the Connecticut Section PGA made a number of changes. The "most important decision," according to The Hartford Courant, was to extend the Connecticut PGA Championship to 72 holes.[9] The following year, in 1937, the tournament took a "radical departure" and changed its format to match play.[10] In May 1941, however, the Connecticut PGA decided to return to a medal play format.[11]

In the late 1940s, the tournament was dominated by Eddie Burke and Harry Nettelbladt. Burke won the tournament in 1945 and 1946.[12] In 1947, Harry Nettelbladt scored rounds of 73 and 71 to win.[13] The following year, Burke led the qualifiers while Nettelbladt finished second.[14] Both players made it to the finals. In the morning round of the finals, Burke "coasted" with a 71 (−2) to take a 5 up lead. During the afternoon round, however, Nettelbladt produced a "sensational performance," ultimately scoring a 65 (−8) and tying the match. After halving the first extra hole, however, Nettelbladt took four shots to reach the green of the par-4 38th hole. He made bogey to lose to Burke.[15] Two years later, in the finals, Burke "set an all time record" defeating Frank Staszowski 12 & 11.[16]

In the 1950s, the tournament was dominated by Bob Kay, a professional at Wampanoag Country Club. In 1953, he made it to the finals. Kay took a 5 up lead in the morning round however Burke tied him during the afternoon's back nine. Kay, however, won the 15th and 16th holes to secure the match and championship. He won 2 & 1.[17] Kay won the tournament again in 1956 and 1959.[12] In 1960, Kay qualified for the finals but was expected "to face tough going" against Eddie Burke.[18] It was the second time they met in the finals, the first in seven years. Both were intending to win their fourth title. Kay "got off to a strong start" and took a 6 up lead after only 8 holes. Over the course of the rest of the match, however, Burke "slowly but surely whittled Kay's lead down." Entering the final hole of regulation, he was only 1 down. However, Burke failed to make the green in regulation and conceded the hole. Kay won 1 up.[19]

In the early 1960s, there were some changes. In 1961, the tournament returned to medal play.[20] The following year the tournament returned to Connecticut after having been held in Massachusetts the previous year.[20]

Some controversy exists regarding the winner of the 2002 Championship, Suzy Whaley. By winning the Connecticut PGA that year, she became the first woman in 58 years to qualify for a PGA event, the Greater Hartford Open. The controversy had to do with the fact that she was allowed to play the course off tees 699 yards shorter than the men she competed against. This discrepancy has since been addressed by the PGA with what's commonly called the "Whaley Rule".[21]

Winners

[edit]
Year Winner Score To par Margin of victory Runner(s)-up Venue Ref.
2023 Andrew Svoboda 137 −5 3 strokes Corey Harris CC of Farmington
2022 Geoff Gelderman 146 +4 Playoff Adam D'Amario Black Hall Club [22]
2021 Brian Keiser 143 −1 2 strokes William Street Wampanoag Country Club [23]
2020 Brian Keiser 140 E 1 stroke Christopher Tallman Wintonbury Hills Golf Club [24]
2019 Christopher Tallman 133 −7 7 strokes Aaron Ungvarsky Keney Park Golf Club [25]
2018 Adam Rainaud 132 −8 3 strokes Marc Bayram Keney Park Golf Club [26]
2017 Kyle Bilodeau 133 −7 2 strokes Billy Downes Keney Park Golf Club [27]
2016 Adam Rainaud 135 −5 2 strokes Fran Marello Keney Park Golf Club [28]
2015 Kevin Giancola 211 −2 1 stroke Adam Rainaud Wethersfield Country Club [29]
2014 Adam Rainaud 135 −7 3 strokes Fran Marello Orchards Golf Club [30]
2013 Kyle Bilodeau 142 −2 2 strokes Billy Downes Mohegan Sun Golf Course [31]
2012 Tony Kelley 214 Playoff[a] Kyle Bilodeau Ellington Ridge Country Club
2011 Kevin Giancola 221 Playoff[b] Tony Kelley, Fran Marrello Black Hall Club
2010 Kevin Giancola 209 Frank Leja Jr Lyman Orchards Golf Club - RTJ
2009 Fran Marrello 208 4 strokes Tony Kelley, Bob Kay Wethersfield Country Club
2008 Kevin Giancola 207 2 strokes Tony Kelley Wampanoag Country Club
2007 Ian Marshall 216 3 strokes Jack McConachie Ellington Ridge Country Club
2006 Jim St. Pierre 207 9 strokes Kevin Giancola Longmeadow Country Club
2005 Mike Carney 213 3 strokes David Dell Race Brook Country Club
2004 Tom Gleeton 208 Playoff[c] Tim Gavronski, Kevin Giancola, Tony Kelley Country Club of Waterbury
2003 Kevin Giancola 211 Playoff[d] Fred Kolakowski, Wayne Leal New Haven Country Club
2002 Suzy Whaley 211 2 strokes Bob Mucha Ellington Ridge Country Club
2001 Fran Marrello 215 2 strokes John Paesani Black Hall Club
2000 Tony Kelley 211 2 strokes John Paesani Hartford Golf Club
1999 Bill Mackedon 213 1 stroke Tom Gleeton Wethersfield Country Club
1998 Mike Martin 215 Playoff[e] Joe Cordani Wampanoag Country Club
1997 John Paesani 216 1 stroke Mike Carney, Tony Kelley Ellington Ridge Country Club
1996 Tony Kelley 217 Playoff[f] Fran Marrello Ellington Ridge Country Club
1995 Allan Menne 215 4 strokes John Paesani, Dave Cook, Mike Carney Ellington Ridge Country Club
1994 Dennis Coscina 218 Playoff[g] Fran Marrello Ellington Ridge Country Club
1993 John Paesani 209 4 strokes Dennis Coscina Ellington Ridge Country Club
1992 Stan McLennan 218 5 strokes Mike Carney, Fred Kolakowski, John Paesani Ellington Ridge Country Club
1991 John Paesani 219 1 stroke Larry Demers, Allan Menne Ellington Ridge Country Club
1990 Kris Smith 217 1 stroke Tony Kelley Ellington Ridge Country Club
1989 Tony Kelley 218 2 strokes John Paesani Ellington Ridge Country Club
1988 Tony Kelley 147 1 stroke Mike Bailey Ellington Ridge Country Club
1987 Doug Dalziel 214 Playoff[h] Paul Ryiz Ellington Ridge Country Club
1986 Doug Dalziel 215 1 stroke Mike Grigely Richter Park Golf Course
1985 Dennis Coscina 213 6 strokes Paul Ryiz TPC at Connecticut
1984 Donald Hoenig 218 3 strokes Paul Ryiz, Ralph DeNicolo Manchester Country Club
1983 Dennis Coscina 216 5 strokes Doug Dalziel Woodbridge Country Club
1982 Jack McConachie 215 Playoff[i] Ed Rubis The Golf Club of Avon
1981 Doug Dalziel 211 7 strokes Dan DiRico The Farms Country Club
1980 Dennis Coscina 207 3 strokes Chuck Lasher Cliffside Country Club
1979 Dennis Coscina 139 2 strokes Jack McConachie Ellington Ridge Country Club
1978 Dennis Coscina 216 3 strokes John Cowan Hop Meadow Country Club
1977 Bob Kay 219 1 stroke Ray Howell Brooklawn Country Club
1976 Dennis Coscina 212 7 strokes Don Parson Tumble Brook Country Club
1975 Dennis Coscina 213 6 strokes Don Hoenig Hartford Golf Club
1974 Ed Rubis 218 Dick Stranahan Black Hall Club
1973 Al Fuchs 216 2 strokes Dick Stranahan Wallingford Country Club
1972 Ed Rubis 220 1 stroke Ray Howell, Dennis Coscina, Frank Guerrara, Chuck Lasher, Tony Clecak Ellington Ridge Country Club
1971 Dick Stranahan 213 3 strokes Ed Rubis Country Club of Fairfield [32]
1970 Ray Howell 209 4 strokes Dick Stranahan Longmeadow Country Club [33]
1969 Don Headings 215 1 stroke Dick Stranahan Brooklawn Country Club
1968 Stan Stanszowski 213 Dick Stranahan The Orchards Golf Club
1967 Dick Stranahan 214 5 strokes Chet Wojack Ellington Ridge Country Club [34]
1966 John McGoldrick 214 3 strokes Wally Cichon, Billy Salvatore Brooklawn Country Club [35]
1965 Ed Rubis 219 3 strokes Larry McCue, Al Labutis Oak Lane Country Club [36]
1964 Ed Rubis 220 1 stroke Larry McCue Hop Meadow Country Club [37]
1963 Bob Kay 211 6 strokes Eddie Kuna Wampanoag Country Club [38]
1962 Roger Horton 216 4 strokes Ed Rubis Ellington Ridge Country Club
1961 Ed Rubis 219 4 strokes Harry Nettelbladt, Frank Staszowski Crestview Country Club [39]
1960 Bob Kay 1 up Eddie Burke Torrington Country Club [40]
1959 Bob Kay 4 & 3 Leo Chizinski Torrington Country Club
1958 Al Labutis 3 & 1 Bob Schappa The Country Club
1957 Bob Bodington 10 & 9 John Galeski The Country Club [41]
1956 Bob Kay 5 & 4 Al Lubutis Shennecossett Golf Course
1955 Vic Panciera 3 & 2 Willie Hunter Shennecossett Golf Course [42]
1954 Harry Nettebladt 4 & 3 Willie Whalen Norwich Golf Club [43]
1953 Bob Kay 2 & 1 Eddie Burke Indian Hill Country Club [44]
1952 Frank Kringle 4 & 2 Harry Bontempo Norwich Golf Club
1951 George Buck 4 & 3 Wally Cichon Norwich Golf Club [45]
1950 Eddie Burke 12 & 11 Frank Staszowski Wethersfield Country Club [46]
1949 Del Kinney 3 & 2 Wally Cichon Norwich Golf Club [47]
1948 Eddie Burke 38th hole Harry Nettelbladt Rockledge Country Club [48]
1947 Harry Nettebladt 144 2 strokes Stan Staszowski Norwich Golf Club [49]
1946 Eddie Burke 141 1 stroke Harry Nettelbladt Wampanoag Country Club
1945 Eddie Burke 144 4 strokes J.J. "Bud" Geoghegan Avon Golf Club
1942-44 Cancelled due to World War II
1941 Hubert Hunsick 140 4 strokes Willie Hunter, Stan Starzec Indian Hill Country Club [50]
1940 Eddie Burke 9 & 8 Ken Reid Woodbridge Country Club [51]
1939 Ralph Greenwood 5 & 4 Paul Bell Indian Hill Country Club [52]
1938 Hubert Hunsick 2&1 Willie Hunter Indian Hill Country Club [53]
1937 Waldo Martin 3&2 Jack Perkins Indian Hill Country Club [54]
1936 Joe Turnesa 299 Playoff Willie Whalen Torrington Country Club [55]
1935 Joe Turnesa 145 −1 5 strokes Herb Armstrong Rockledge Country Club [56]
1934 George Hunter 147 4 strokes Willie Whalen The Country Club [57]
1933 Gene Kunes 148 4 strokes Graham Reid The Country Club
1932 Jack Perkins 149 1 stroke Eddie Lund Country Club of Waterbury
1931 Gene Kunes 154 Charles Nicoll Indian Hill (Sequin) Country Club
1930 George Siebert 149 Playoff[j] Peter Manning Indian Hill (Sequin) Country Club
1929 Maurice Kearney 157 2 strokes Peter Manning, Alex Simpson Wampanoag Country Club [2]

Source:[12]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Kelly won in a sudden-death playoff.
  2. ^ Giancola won in a sudden-death playoff.
  3. ^ Gleeton won in a sudden-death playoff.
  4. ^ Giancola won in a sudden-death playoff.
  5. ^ Martin won in a sudden-death playoff.
  6. ^ Kelley won in a sudden-death playoff.
  7. ^ Coscina won in a sudden-death playoff.
  8. ^ Dalziel won in a sudden-death playoff.
  9. ^ McConachie won in a sudden-death playoff.
  10. ^ Siebert won in a sudden-death playoff.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Connecticut PGA Championship" (PDF). Connecticut PGA. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 8, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Hartford Courant 14 Aug 1949, page 41". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  3. ^ a b "Wayback Machine" (PDF). 2015-12-08. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  4. ^ "Hartford Courant 06 Aug 1935, page 13". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  5. ^ "Hartford Courant 19 Sep 1936, page 13". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  6. ^ "Hartford Courant 22 Sep 1936, page 13". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  7. ^ "Hartford Courant 23 Sep 1936, page 17". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  8. ^ "Hartford Courant 17 May 1935, page 19". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  9. ^ "Hartford Courant 22 Apr 1936, page 17". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  10. ^ "Hartford Courant 20 Jul 1937, page 16". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  11. ^ "Hartford Courant 06 May 1941, page 15". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  12. ^ a b c "Wayback Machine" (PDF). 2015-12-08. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  13. ^ "The Bridgeport Telegram 23 Sep 1947, page Page 19". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  14. ^ "The Bridgeport Post 15 Sep 1948, page Page 41". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  15. ^ "The Bridgeport Telegram 17 Sep 1948, page Page 41". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  16. ^ "Democrat and Chronicle 17 Sep 1950, page Page 61". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  17. ^ "Record-Journal 25 Jul 1953, page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  18. ^ "Naugatuck Daily News 09 Sep 1960, page Page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  19. ^ "Naugatuck Daily News 10 Sep 1960, page Page 6". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  20. ^ a b "Hartford Courant 05 Jan 1962, page Page 36". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  21. ^ "P.G.A. Revises Rule For Women on Tees". The New York Times. January 29, 2003.
  22. ^ "Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  23. ^ "Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  24. ^ "Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  25. ^ "Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  26. ^ "Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  27. ^ "Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  28. ^ "85th Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  29. ^ "Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  30. ^ "83rd Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  31. ^ "82nd Connecticut PGA Championship". ctpga.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  32. ^ "The Journal 11 Sep 1971, page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  33. ^ "The Bridgeport Post 12 Sep 1970, page Page 10". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  34. ^ "Hartford Courant 16 Sep 1967, page 20". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  35. ^ "Hartford Courant 10 Sep 1966, page 20". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  36. ^ "Hartford Courant 28 Aug 1965, page 19". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  37. ^ "Hartford Courant 26 Sep 1964, page 14". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  38. ^ "Hartford Courant 28 Sep 1963, page Page 37". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  39. ^ "The Bridgeport Post 30 Sep 1961, page Page 7". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  40. ^ "Hartford Courant 10 Sep 1960, page 13". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  41. ^ "The Bridgeport Telegram 21 Sep 1957, page Page 15". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  42. ^ "Hartford Courant 24 Sep 1955, page 13". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  43. ^ "Record-Journal 25 Jul 1953, page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  44. ^ "Record-Journal 25 Jul 1953, page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  45. ^ "The Bridgeport Telegram 13 Aug 1951, page Page 7". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  46. ^ "The Bridgeport Telegram 17 Sep 1948, page Page 41". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  47. ^ "The Bridgeport Telegram 17 Sep 1948, page Page 41". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  48. ^ "The Bridgeport Telegram 17 Sep 1948, page Page 41". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  49. ^ "Record-Journal 23 Sep 1947, page 11". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  50. ^ "The Journal 19 Aug 1941, page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  51. ^ "Record-Journal 29 Jul 1940, page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  52. ^ "Hartford Courant 31 Jul 1939, page 9". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  53. ^ "Hartford Courant 01 Aug 1938, page 9". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  54. ^ "Hartford Courant 26 Jul 1937, page 11". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  55. ^ "Hartford Courant 23 Sep 1936, page 17". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  56. ^ "The Journal 06 Aug 1935, page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  57. ^ "The Journal 09 Oct 1934, page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
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