Smaller field set to tee off at State Amateur
The Connecticut State Golf Association had already been forced to postpone a couple of its tournaments this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization was hoping to not have to do the same to the State Amateur.
Shorehaven Golf Club wanted to host the event this week. But the club needed some concessions from the CSGA in order to make the event work.
The concessions were made and the 118th State Amateur is on as scheduled beginning Monday at the private club in Norwalk.
“The relationship with Shorehaven has always been strong,” said Mike Moraghan, the CSGA’s executive director. “They had some obvious concerns bringing that many people onto their property. Two months ago, nobody had any idea if anything could be conducted safely. We had a lot of conversations back and forth to conduct in a way where everyone feels safe.”
Around 120 golfers normally make the field. This year, it’s only 78. No spectators will be allowed.
“The CSGA went to great measures to ensure the safety of the players, the staff and the members. That made Shorehaven’s decision to host the event that much easier,” Shorehaven head pro Mike Laganza said.
So instead of 64 players reaching match play following two days of qualifying, it will be 32 advancing with just qualifying on Monday. This will also result in the 36-hole match play final being held on Thursday rather than Friday.
“We mutually looked at all different kinds of ways to safely run the championship. To limit the size of the number of people out there was an important consideration,” Moraghan said.
There are a few changes since the three qualifiers occurred earlier this month. All state courses can now allow rakes in the bunkers and golfers to touch the flagsticks. Competitors cannot take carts, but can use caddies, which were not permitted previously.
Shorehaven GC, which will host the 2024 Connecticut Open, isn’t long, measuring just 6,548 yards from the back tees. But it’s a different golf course if the wind blows off Long Island Sound.
“Any kind of wind and it could be pretty difficult,” Moraghan said. “It’s really a great golf course. It’s perfect for a championship.”
Both Moraghan and Laganza said the greens will be difficult to navigate.
“Those who will do very well are the players who can quickly adjust to the greens’ speed, the undulation,” Laganza said. “Players who have the strongest short games will have the success.”
Said Moraghan: “Shorehaven
is an immaculate golf course. The par-3s at Shorehaven are very difficult.”
It’s a stellar field featuring several former Amateur champions, including twotime winner, and defending champion, Richard Dowling. His first-round pairing includes another former champion, 2013 winner Cody Paladino, who is playing his first major tournament after regaining his amateur status back, and Ben James, the reigning state Junior Amateur winner who last year finished third in the Connecticut Open and qualified for the U.S. Junior Presidents Cup.
That threesome goes off the 10th tee at 8:20 a.m.
Other former champions in the field include Ben Conroy (8:10 a.m., 10th tee), Dave Szewczul (9:20, 1st tee) and both Tommy McDonagh and Bill Hermanson (9:50, 1st tee).
Laganza said Shorehaven received three club exemptions into the field: club champion Dan Suozzi, runner-up Ron Eppert and Mike Devine senior club champion Mike Devine.
TRAVELERS OPEN QUALIFIER
There will be two fewer
spots available on Monday in the Travelers Championship open qualifier at Ellington Ridge CC.
Normally, there are four spots on the line at the Monday qualifiers for PGA Tour events. But because the COVID-19 pandemic has shortened the season by three months, the tour wanted to provide more spots in all of its tournaments for the rest of this season to its regular tour players.
Former PGA Tour pros Arjun Atwal, Brian Davis, Spencer Levin and Ken Duke, the 2013 Travelers Championship winner, will be looking to get into the field at TPC River Highlands beginning Thursday.
The Connecticut Section PGA held a pair of prequalifiers last week at Ellington Ridge CC. The top 19 and ties advanced to Monday. Among those trying to advance are Brian Carlson from Madison, Max Theodorakis from Danbury and Bill Street from Shelton.
No spectators are allowed on site at Ellington Ridge CC.