(April 29, 2024) – Golf season in Connecticut is beginning to hit its stride and with that comes the beginning of the 2024 CSGA championship schedule. On May 6 a talented field will compete in the Two Man Championship hosted by Black Hall Club.
“We are proud to be the annual host to the Two Man Championship and especially proud to be able to honor our local Hall of Famer, Bill Hermanson, and what he has meant to golf at Black Hall and golf in Connecticut and beyond,” said Black Hall Club head professional Andrew Campbell. “This would be a popular event anywhere in the state but we hope to continue this tradition of opening the CSGA championship season down here on the shoreline.”
The par-71 layout will play at approximately 6,600 yards with the field’s best scoring chances coming on the opening two holes of each nine. The first and 10th holes are shorter par-4s while the second and 11th holes are two of the three par-5s on the course.
“The par 5s are the best place to do your attacking but most players will tell you that you don’t do much attacking here,” Campbell said. “It is really about patience and to be successful, you have to give yourself the most chances of hitting greens from the fairways. It’s hard to score here from the rough.”
Last year the tandem of Anthony Guerrera and AJ Ouimet blitzed the field finishing the 36-hole day 9-under and as the winners by five strokes. The duo jumped out to a stellar 10-under start in the morning four-ball and with a six-stroke lead heading into the afternoon selected drive alternate shot they were never threatened.
However, this year only Guerrera is in the field and he will be playing alongside Thomas Labbe. Although the defending champions aren’t in the field a number of strong teams will be returning including the formative duo of Dan Murphy and Jamie Sheltman. The duo shared the title in 2020 and then won outright in 2022.
The 36-hole shotgun style tournament will begin at 8 a.m. on May 6. In the morning round, players will compete in four-ball followed by foursomes, selected drive alternate shot in the afternoon.
Teams to Watch:
Jamie Sheltman (Wallingford CC) & Daniel Murphy (H. Smith Richardson GC): The two-time winners shared the title in 2020 and in 2022 they won outright. This year will be the sixth time Sheltman and Murphy have teamed up in the Two Man Championship.
Brad Tilley (Brooklawn CC) & Conor McGovern (Brooklawn CC): Competing in the Two Man Championship for a third consecutive year Tilley and McGovern have shared second place each of the last two years.
Brett Shulick (Great River GC) & Mutt Fuller (Great Neck CC): Whenever there is a team competition the duo of Brett Shulick and Matt Fuller always seem to be in the mix. In 2022 they won the Four-Ball Championship after finishing in second place in 2021. At the Two Man Championship in 2022 they tied for ninth and in 2021 they finished T3.
Anthony Guerrera (Watertown GC) & Thomas Labbe (Watertown GC): This year Anthony Guerrera, who also won the Russell C. Palmer Cup and the Tournament of Champions in 2023, will be looking for a second straight Two Man title however he will have to do it with a new teammate. Last year Thomas Labbe finished T2 at the Tournament of Champions.
Mike Kennedy (Tashua Knolls GC) & Tim Murphy (The Stanwich Club): Each of the last two years Mike Kennedy and Tim Murphy have been impressive sharing fourth in 2022 and sixth in 2023.
Eric Bleile (Great River GC) & Jason Longo (Brooklawn CC): Last year the duo finished in a tie for second place. They were one of just five teams to finish under par.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Two Man Championship 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.
