The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
VanDerLaan fires 62 to take Connecticut Open lead
HAMDEN — John VanDerLaan has a connection with New Haven Country Club that few people are familiar with.
Approximately two decades ago, his dad received pro shot credit for winning a flight in the club’s member-guest tournament. With that, he brought home a set of U.S. Kids Clubs for 2-year-old John to use around the house.
Fast forward to 2018. John VanDerLaan, now 22, is just one round away from capturing his first Connecticut Open championship. He leads the 84th edition by a stroke after firing a careerbest 62 — at New Haven CC.
“This club in particular has some special meaning to me,” VanDerLaan said about New Haven CC. “It’s pretty cool that this is where it all started.”
CJ Swift is in second after shooting a 65 — a stroke behind just like after Monday’s opening round. He will be in the final pairing with VanDerLaan Wednesday morning. They will be joined by Adam Rainaud, who is third at 9under 131.
“I saw (VanDerLaan) was posted a 12 (under) already,” said Swift. “I felt I had to make two or three birdies coming in to set me up for the opportunity to play with him in the final round.”
VanDerLaan’s 62 tied the tournament single-round record held by former champion Mike Gilmore, shot in 2014 at Rolling Hills CC in Wilton. It’s also believed to be the competitive course record at New Haven CC.
Evan Beirne, who played with VanDerLaan in the first two rounds, holds the overall record with a 58.
A Southbury resident, VanDerLaan has had quite the year. He was the Division II collegiate individual champion at Florida Southern College/University this spring. With that came an invitation to the 2018 Barbasol Shootout on June 2 at Scioto CC in Columbus, Ohio, which brings all the individual winners together.
VanDerLaan beat them all to earn an exemption into the Barbasol Championship on the PGA Tour on July 19-22. Not only did he
make the cut, VanDerLaan finished tied for 31st and earned $21,700.
“Obviously, I had a great week down there. To make the cut and play with those guys on the weekend gave me a lot of confidence going forward for my whole career,” VanDerLaan said.
Stamford’s Michael Ballo stands in fourth place at 6-under 134 after shooting 68. Ballo said he has missed just one green in two rounds. He’s been in contention several times in this event without a win.
“I feel like I’m in a good place where I am right now. The pressure is really on them (the leaders),” Ballo said. “I can go out, free myself up and keep doing what I’m doing.”
First-round leader Kyle Gallo shot a 2-over 72 Tuesday, dropping him into a tie for fifth place with Jason Thresher, Max Theodorakis and Blake Morris of the Country Club of Waterbury, eight shots behind VanDerLaan. Only 13 players are under par in the field.
Ian Marshall of Watertown Golf Clubs is two shots behind that group at 138 after shooting a 72 Tuesday.
The cut came at 3-over 143. Defending champion Jeff Evanier (Clinton CC, even-par 140) made it, along with 42 other golfers including reigning State Amateur champion Ben Conroy (139) and three-time winner Frank Bensel (139).
VanDerLaan was 1-under through six holes, then got hot with birdies on seven through nine, followed by an eagle on 10. He also birdied 15 and 18.
“Yesterday my play was solid, but I left a few out there,” VanDerLaan said about his opening round of 66. “I felt I could have had a 64 or 63 relatively easily. Today, I got everything out of my round.”
Swift made seven birdies and had just one bogey, on the 13th hole, to keep himself in position to win the title.
“I’ve been giving myself makeable opportunities for birdie,” Swift said.
Rainaud, the 2016 champion, also eagled the 10th hole in his round of 66. He hit a 3-iron from a divot 242 yards, rolling the last 20 yards or so up on the green near the pin.
“It was in a pretty good lie for a divot and it was straight downwind,” said Rainaud, the head pro at CC of New Canaan. “I won’t play any different until the last four holes (Wednesday), whether I’m two behind or four in the lead.”