2010 Player of the Year

The fireworks flashing off the clubs of Evan Beirne were indeed bright, but the workmanlike consistency of Jeff Hedden’s game remained the brightest light in the state’s golf firmament in 2010.

Hedden, of Black Hall Club, collected 660 points from eight events to win his third straight Dick Tettelbach Award as CSGA Player of the Year.  Beirne, of New Haven Country Club, earned 475 points from two tournaments to place second.

Neither of the first two finishers is surprising, but the next golfer might raise a few eyebrows. Dave Szewczul of Tunxis Plantation Golf Course, the Senior Player of the Year at 56, chalked up enough points in open competition and also was awarded points for reaching match play in the U.S. Senior Amateur to finish third, just 10 points behind Beirne.

The bulk of Hedden’s points came from three second-place finishes.  He was runner-up in the Russell C. Palmer Cup (to Beirne), the Mid-Amateur Championship, and the Tournament of Champions.  He also earned 125 points by reaching the round-of-sixteen in the Connecticut Amateur.

2010 Top Ten

Excerpt from 2010 Connecticut Golfer Year-End Edition - Rick Odermatt