(September 27, 2022) – The CSGA is headed to the Country Club of Waterbury for the 77th Connecticut Senior Amateur and the final major of the 2022 season. The field is highlighted by eight past champions including defending champion Donal Reilly who will compete across two days and 36-holes to crown a winner.
“I am looking forward to defending my title and I am looking forward to competing against the CSGA senior stalwarts,” Donal Reilly said. “Winning at The Patterson Club last year was a catalytic moment for me in golf terms. Getting the chance to represent the state at Tri-States last year, the presentation [at the Annual Meeting] with my sister in attendance, but the icing on the cake was being able to present my Mam back in Ireland with a copy of the CSGA annual magazine with my picture.”
The Connecticut Senior Amateur was first held at the Country Club of Waterbury in 1947 and most recently in 2002. This year’s edition will be the ninth that has been contested at the 6,200-yard par-69 Donald Ross layout.
“Players will face a multitude of challenges during the championship,” said CC of Waterbury head professional Brad Lusenhop. “Most notably controlling ball flight and distance will be a must on the slippery Donald Ross surfaces. Although the course rewards a great driver of the ball, a superb iron player will have the upper hand over the course of the championship. A steady putting stroke will be necessary as well to overcome the adversity the players will face on the greens.”
Getting off to a strong start will be crucial as the first three holes will test the player’s long iron abilities right out of the gate. “You can let a little sigh of relief out if you are even-par through the first three holes at the CC of Waterbury,” Lusenhop said.
The 77th Connecticut Senior Amateur will begin on Monday, October 3 at 8 a.m. with the top 39 players and ties advancing to Tuesday’s final round.
Notes on the Field
Number of Players: 89
Past Champions (8): Donal Reilly (2021), Richard Stevens (2007 & 2020), Patrick McGuiness (2017), Dave Szewczul (2011-2012 & 2016), Bill Hermanson (2015 & 2019), Mark Vasington (2014), Jack Bracken (2013), James Bango (2005)
Players to Watch
Bill Hermanson (Black Hall Club): A two-time Connecticut Senior Amateur winner Hermanson has reached match play at both the Connecticut Amateur and Senior Match Play this year.
Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC): The 2022 Connecticut Senior Match Play winner is poised to make another run at a CSGA title in the final major of the year. Jones has also played in the U.S. Senior Amateur this year and won five One Day titles.
James Lawler (Mohegan Sun GC): It has been a strong season for Lawler who reached the quarterfinals of the Senior Match Play, won the Litchfield CC One Day, and tied for fifth at the Senior Four-Ball.
Rick Malafronte (Indian Hill CC): In recent years Malafronte has been knocking on the door in senior events. In 2020 he lost a playoff at the Connecticut Senior Amateur while at the Senior Match Play he reached the quarterfinals in 2021 and this year he made it to the semifinals.
Patrick McGuiness (Keney GC): The 2017 Connecticut Senior Amateur winner reached the semifinals at the 2020 Senior Match Play and the quarterfinals earlier this year.
Craig Platt (Mill River CC): Last year Platt won the Senior Match Play title and backed it up with a T12 finish at the Senior Amateur. This year in an early look at the course he won the Siderowf Division at the CC of Waterbury One Day Tournament and in June he made it to the Round of 16 at the Senior Match Play. Recently Platt nearly won the New England Senior Amateur before settling for a third place tie.
Donal Reilly (H. Smith Richardson GC): The defending champion will look to become the first player since Dave Szewczul (2011-2012) to win the title in back-to-back years.
Richard Stevens (EClub of Connecticut): It has been a strong year for Stevens. The two-time Connecticut Senior Amateur winner medaled at the Senior Match Play and then finished in second place at the New England Senior Amateur.
Dave Szewczul (TPC River Highlands): The three-time champion has missed much of the season but Szewczul will be in the field at the CC of Waterbury for his first CSGA major of the season.
Mark Vasington (Wampanoag CC): The 2014 Connecticut Senior Amateur winner reached the Round of 32 at the Senior Match Play this year.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Senior Amateur is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. 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 over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
