New Britain, Connecticut (November 1, 2022) – In a tight race Greenwich inched out Farmington by one shot to win the 2022 CIAC Fall Division I championship. With three players firing a 73 or better Greenwich posted a team tally of 13-over, one shot better than Farmington’s 14-over.
Defending champion New Canaan was third at 15-over, Fairfield Prep took fourth with a 19-over showing, and Staples at 20-over was fifth.
Greenwich was led to their ninth state title by an impressive 1-over 72 on a seasonably warm but gloomy day at Stanley Golf Course by AJ Enslein while Charles Schrohe and Owen Duda turned in 2-over 73s. The final counting score for Greenwich was produced by Jack Hopper (79).
“The thing I tell them in the parking lot, first and foremost, is No. 1, don’t quit on yourselves, don’t quit on the team, and don’t quit on the round,” head coach Jeff Santilli told Joe Morelli of GameTime CT. “The trophy? Yes, it’s awesome, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t define this group that we had. They worked hard for me all year long.”
In the medalist race Farmington’s Caleb Smith and Staples Harrison Brown shared the top spot with matching 2-under 69s.
Smith bolstered by an eagle two on the 340-yard par-4 sixth and four birdies was 5-under through his first 11 holes before giving a few shots back on his way into the house.
Farmington golfer Caleb Smith shot a 2-under-par 69 to share medalist laurels in the CIAC Division I state championship meet at Stanley Golf Course. #ctgolf pic.twitter.com/sjap9KyNvD
— Joe Morelli (@nhrJoeMorelli) November 1, 2022
“I was kind of feeling the pressure a little bit when I was 5-under,” said Caleb Smith who had never broken par in a competitive event before. “I tried to keep it out of my head, but it’s hard to when you are playing so well.”
Harrison Browne played a more steady round recording six birdies and four bogeys. Browne birdied five times between Nos. 3-12.
Staples golfer Harrison Browne shot a 2-under-par 69 at Stanley Golf Course to share medalist laurels with Farmington’s Caleb Smith in the CIAC Division I state championship meet. #ctgolf pic.twitter.com/ONKRDythN9
— Joe Morelli (@nhrJoeMorelli) November 1, 2022
“At the start of the season, I was struggling in a lot of matches,” Harrison Browne said. “I wasn’t really putting the scores together. Then something clicked. … My putting really hasn’t been great all season, but my ball striking has given me a lot of scoring opportunities.”
Gavin Kvadus (Glastonbury) and William Gregware (Conard), a member of the victorious Connecticut Junior team and a Connecticut Junior Amateur semifinalist, shared third at even-par. AJ Enslein (Greenwich) and James Casey (New Canaan) tied for fifth at 2-over.
Editors: Quotes and some information in this article are provided by Joe Morelli of GameTimeCT.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association 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.
