CSGA takes over operation of Borck tournament

When the Borck Foundation approached the Connecticut State Golf Association nearly three years back about taking over the operation of the Borck Junior Golf Tournament, the hope was the CSGA would maintain several of the tournament’s traditions.

Some of those traditions remain in place as the CSGA takes over the operation of the Borck with tournament No. 51 beginning Monday.

“We consider the Borck to be a major event, on the same level as our Connecticut Junior,” CSGA executive director Mike Moraghan said. “I remember my first tournament I played in at 12 years old. I can still picture the stone walls at Chippanee ( Golf Club in Bristol) trying to qualify for the Connecticut Junior. This is really important for kids interested in golf to go play in a great tournament atmosphere. This is great for kids to get excited about tournament golf.”

Said Paul Hiller, a member of the Borck executive tournament committee: “We had discussions with a couple different organizations. The logical choice was where we wound up with the CSGA. I think it is in the best hands possible quite frankly.”

The CSGA agreed before last year’s 50th annual event to take over running the championship. It found the course for this year — the Country Club of New Canaan — being used for the Borck for the first time.

Hiller and Giles Payne, both in their mid- 70s and members of the tournament executive committee, and Judy Borck, president of the Borck foundation, all felt it was time to have a different organization take control.

“The 50th anniversary seemed like the appropriate time to pass the baton,” Hiller said. “We were normally limited to the Greater Bridgeport area ( to use golf courses).”

While the Borck will continue to draw the top junior golfers from Fairfield County, entry- level players will also remain a part of the event.

There are 44 boys and 10 girls in the field. Both defending champions, Charlie Duffy and Sophia Sarrazin, are back.

“This is something the CSGA hasn’t done before,

encouraging new tournament players to get out and experience tournament golf,” Moraghan said. “Providing a great tournament atmosphere is one of the traditions we will continue to maintain.”

The CSGA is continuing the Borck’s tradition of awarding annual scholarship funds in conjunction with the Widdy Neale Scholarship Fund. This year’s recipients are Chris Cestone from Simsbury, who will attend Bentley University, and Isabella Larizza from Madison, who will attend Notre Dame.

“We wanted to make sure the CSGA would manage the scholarship money in an appropriate way. The standards they had with the Woody Neale Scholarship are the same standards like ours was,” Payne said.

The traditional dinner, normally held after the opening round on Monday, is not being held this year due to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Moraghan said he plans to hold it in the future.

One change the CSGA has made is to expand the field outside of Fairfield County. Anyone across the state will be eligible to play in the future.