CSGA Functions As an Extension of the USGA and Provides Stewardship for Amateur Golf in Connecticut

CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION GOLF CONNECTICUT STATE 2020 CHAMPIONSHIP ANNUAL The CSGA functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts more than 70 championships, qualifiers and One Day tournaments throughout the year, in addition to serving more than 50,000 CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION members and 181 member clubs. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the CSGA supports a variety of golf organizations within Connecticut, including CSGA the Connecticut Women’s Golf Association, the Southern New England Women’s Golf Association, the LPGA Amateur Golf Association, the First Tee of Connecticut, the Connecticut Section PGA, the Connecticut Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Widdy Neale Scholarship Fund. PUBLICATION Design Consultant Deb Chute Executive Editor Mike Moraghan Photos Mike Moraghan, Bob Carney, Sam Dostaler, Marsha Managing Editor Rupp, Getty Images, PGA of America, Bob Carney USGA, PGA Tour, Country Club of Darien Written and Edited Printing Bob Carney, Mike Moraghan, Sam Dostaler, Bill Bigler Cannelli Printing Company Inc. Marsha Rupp, Ryan Hoffman, Lynn Robsky CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION 35 Cold Spring Road, Suite 212, Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067 Phone: 860.257.4171 Website: csgalinks.org 2020 2020 ANNUAL A review of the 2020 season and the championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association 10 / CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION / 2018 ANNUAL 2020 ANNUAL / CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION / 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 WELCOME 5 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 28 AN AIRMAN SOARS 44 HOLLAND IS POY AGAIN 64 IT’S STEVENS IN THE END AT FARMINGTON Despite the pandemic, golf flourished, thanks to some important Connor Roche grew up on Simsbury Farms, and in his last full Jen Holland finished second at the Amateur and won the Rick Malafronte played nearly flawless golf for 35 holes, but the efforts to keep it open. There was new appreciation for our game. season before an Air Force career he won the Public Links there. SNEWGA Individual to become Player of the Year again. 36th hole opened the door for Richard Stevens. Twice. 6 MAX’S HOME RUN 30 AT MADISON, CONROY COMES BACK 46 GREAT GOLF SHOTS DON’T JUST HAPPEN 66 SZEWCZUL TAKES HIS FIFTH Max Theodorakis had home field advantage, but lots of pressure, Ben Conroy was four back of Cody Paladino on the final nine, but A photographic tribute to the way golfers sculpt and shape shots– Dave Szewczul overcame an early deficit against Mark Vassalotti to 48 WORDStoo. FAILHe withstood US it all and won the Open at home...going away. fought his way to a playoff. Two holes later he was Mid-Am champ. after they’ve hit them. We salute the masters of body english. win his fifth Senior Match Play and secure Player of the Year. A look at some of Connecticut’s top players as they ride competitive14 golf’s A marvelous MILD-MANNERED and maddening BULLDOG roller coaste 36 PALADINO IS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 54 THIS TIME WAS MATT’S TIME 82 CHRIS COTE’S GOLF SHOP ONE DAY WINNERS There were some who might have written off Rick Dowling when In a season of near misses and what-might-have-beens, Cody A runner-up in the Junior Amateur two years ago as a 15-year-old, Despite the pandemic, the One Day Series, sponsored by Chris he stumbled early in the Palmer Cup’s final round. Big mistake. Paladino nevertheless amassed a record no one else could match. Madison’s Matt Doyle found “redemption” at Watertown. Cote’s Golf Shop, thrived. Here’s to this year’s champions. 18 FOSDICK FINDS A WAY 4O SOPHIA WINS A BIG ONE 58 SCARPATI AND ROMAN TAKE THE BORCK 88 HONOREES Chris Fosdick met Cody Paladino at the top of his game. In one of Fifteen-year-old Sophia Sarrazin, in a battle of generations, out- Mia Scarpati turned the tables on Sophia Sarrazin who beat her last The author of the first golf book for women, a club that continues the great amateur battles ever, Fosdick fought back at Shorehaven. lasted Jen Holland to win the Women’s Amateur at Fairview Farm. year, and Jackson Roman was on fire in New Canaan. to grow, and the professor of course rating are recognized. 2 / CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION / 2020 ANNUAL 2019 ANNUAL / CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION / 3 WELCOME / 2020 CSGA CHAMPIONSHIP ANNUAL CONNECTICUT STATE DEAR FELLOW GOLF ASSOCIATION 35 Cold Spring Road, Suite 212 GOLFERS Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Jim Healey, Jr., Hartford G.C. What a year 2020 has been for golf in Connecticut. Vice Presidents Bill Cremins, C.C. of Waterbury, Record rounds played at courses throughout the State, highly competitive championships at Ed Detmer, Madison C.C. every event, more courses rated than ever before, and strong leadership by the CSGA team Shelly Guyer, Oronoque C.C. allowed for the Connecticut golfer to play while other states were shut down. Secretary Congratulations to all our tournament winners and honorees, including Volunteer of the Bill Wallace, Brooklawn C.C. Year Mike Flis and Distinguished Club of the Year Madison Country Club. Thanks to our staff and sponsors, who made 2020 the remarkable year it was in the face of uncertainty. Treasurer Fred Fawcett, Orange Hills C.C. Enjoy, and “hit it straight.” Special Advisers Jack Bracken, Hartford G.C. Judy Smith, Orange Hills C.C. STAFF Executive Director Mike Moraghan Jim Healey, Jr. President, Connecticut State Golf Association Director, Operations, Rules and Competitions Ryan Hoffman Director, Member Services Bill Bigler Director, Women’s Golf, Client Services Marsha Rupp Director, Communications Bob Carney Controller David Seaman Assistant Director, Operations Sam Dostaler Administrative Associate Lynn Robsky USGA P. J. Boatwright Intern Despite a pandemic and a hurricane, CSGA golf thrived during the 2020 season. Paul Wetmore 4 / CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION / 2020 ANNUAL A MESSAGE TO OUR MEMBERS A NEW APPRECIATION A MESSAGE FROM CSGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MIKE MORAGHAN e knew in January that would later come to be known as a there would be added potential “super spreader.” challenges for the CSGA But outdoors in the open air, in 2020: spread out across vast landscapes, W• Changes to GHIN and the golf could be played safely. launching of the World Handicap We have lobbied the State on System would require a time-consuming previous occasions, twice in recent effort to educate golfers, golf profession- years defeating proposals that als, and handicap chairpersons through- would have added roughly $15 out Connecticut. million in taxes paid by golfers, Mike Moraghan (left) and Michael Dugan at • We had a bigger than normal slate and on more than one occasion the Legislative Office Building in 2018. of courses to rate, a need to attract helping to steer legislation that is more volunteer raters, and the urgency both good for golf and good for a crisis. of getting them educated and skilled in the environment. Michael Dugan of So throughout much of the spring- handling the complexities of the course Capitol Consulting, who we have kept time, while golf courses in surrounding rating system. on retainer for more than a decade, and states were closed, courses in Connecti- • We were adding a championship, who by his diligent and honest nature cut remained open for play. the Borck Junior, to an already full has earned the trust of elected officials Competitive golf presented different schedule of tournaments. And across all and regulators throughout Connecticut, challenges. The USGA cancelled pretty of our activities, we were committed to leads our efforts. much everything on their schedule, increasing our member engagement. But advocating for golf in the midst while the rest of us tried to figure out So while gearing up for the Connecti- of a pandemic was something entirely how we could adapt to a new reality cut Golf Show, scheduled for the third different. Not just livelihoods, but actu- that required significant changes in weekend in March, we were busier than al lives were at stake. everything from players’ interactions usual in January and February. And then Dugan’s contacts at the Department with a starter on the first tee, to official suddenly, the entire world changed. of Economic Development (DECD) scoring after the round. People from Wuhan to Milan to Seattle were receptive to explanations as to It was never business as usual, as to New York City were getting horribly why golf could be played safely. State everything in 2020 became a juggling ill, and dying. Legislators who understand or play golf act. But by all accounts, it was a “great” As we learned about the novel coro- were helpful, as were individuals in the year for golf, not just in Connecticut, navirus we made a conscious decision to Governor’s office who also had played but throughout the country. Rounds lobby the State of Connecticut to keep rounds during which they never came were up by double digits everywhere, golf courses, under certain restrictions, within 10 feet of someone else. and golf was repeatedly listed among the open, despite other businesses being Encourage walking…stay at least six safest of activities. closed down. feet apart...single rider carts…eliminate So for all the goals we set at the It was, and is still our belief that golf common touch points like rakes and beginning of the year, the CSGA and can be played safely during a pandemic flagsticks…put on a mask whenever its members accomplished one thing that is spread primarily through close you get close to someone…these were we couldn’t have dreamed of.

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