(June 11, 2024) – For the first time in tournament history the Senior Match Play Championship will be contested at Indian Hill Country Club.
“Indian Hill CC has long been involved in the states golf history and we are the home course to multiple state and New England amateur champions,” said Indian Hill CC head professional Wayne Smyth. “The membership is proud of their track and they enjoy seeing the (best players) in the state tested on their course.”
The 18th edition of the championship will feature a field of 147 players including eight past champions. A group that is highlighted by defending champion Glen Boggini.
“It is very exciting to defend a tournament that you have won,” Glen Boggini said. “Nothing is guaranteed and you have to prove yourself all over again.”
Indian Hill CC, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2024, will play as a 6,350-yard par 72 course that will provide a risk-reward aspect once match play begins.
“Indian Hill CC is a perfect layout for match play,” explained Smyth. “There are a number of risk-reward holes that will make for some great matches. All four of the par 5s are reachable for most, but they will punish the players that miss the mark. The course also features difficult par 3s that will be pivotal in the outcomes.”
However, the key stretch according to Smyth might be Nos. 11-13. The stretch begins with a 220-yard par-3 that requires a long and precise tee shot. No. 12 is a short par 4 but players will have to navigate a blind approach shot into a challenging green. Closing out the stretch is the long par-4 13th which is arguably the most difficult hole on the course. The 13th is the longest par 4 the field will face and players will need to hit a good drive and find the fairway. Not safe yet, a well-struck approach shot is a must otherwise an up-and-down will prove difficult if the green is missed.
A recurring theme in the defense of each hole is the greens and Smyth thinks the putting surfaces present the field with potentially the biggest challenge, “The greens are small and undulating and difficult to hit in regulation. The champion will be the player with one of the best short games. But accuracy off the tee is crucial as well because it will give players the best chance to hit the green. The old adages, ‘don’t miss on the short side’ and ‘stay below the hole’ apply here.”
Play at the 18th Senior Match Play Championship will begin on Monday at 7:30 a.m. with one round of stroke play qualifying. Following the completion of play on Monday the top 32 players will advance to match play set to begin on Tuesday. The first day of match play will feature the Round of 32 and Round of 16 with the quarterfinals and semifinals to follow on Wednesday before the 18-hole championship match on Thursday morning determines a winner.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 147
Past Champions (8): Glen Boggini (2023), Dave Jones (2022), Craig Platt (2021), Mark Vasington (2019), Pat McGuiness (2018), Tom Brett (2017), Bruce Kraczkowsky (2016), Bill Hermanson (2015)
Players to Watch:
Glen Boggini (Ellington Ridge CC): Last year Boggini won the title with a victory on the first extra hole. Thanks to his win at the Senior Match Play Championship Boggini earned Dick Siderowf Senior Player of the Year honors.
Bill Hermanson (Black Hall Club): The two-time reigning Super Senior Player of the Year has reached match play each of the last two years at the Senior Match Play Championship. Hermanson, who won the title in 2015, reached the Round of 16 in 2023.
Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC): The 2022 champion reached the quarterfinals last year in his title defense. Jones concluded his 2023 season with a T5 showing at the Connecticut Senior Amateur.
Dave Olender (Ellington Ridge CC): Last year in his Senior Match Play debut, Olender made a run to the championship match.
Rick Malafronte (New Haven CC): In recent years Malafronte has been knocking on the door at the Senior Match Play Championship. In the last three years Malafronte has reached the quarterfinals twice and the semifinals once.
Pat McGuiness (Keney GC): The 2018 winner reached the semifinals in 2020, in 2022 he made it to the Round of 16, and last year he was the five seed heading into match play.
Bob Murphy (Brownson CC): Last year Bob Murphy won his first CSGA major capturing the Connecticut Senior Amateur. In 2021 Murphy reached the title match of the Senior Match Play Championship.
Craig Platt (Mill River CC): The 2021 champion reached match play in 2022 and last year he fell in the Round of 16.
Richard Stevens (EClub of Connecticut): A two-time Connecticut Senior Amateur winner, Stevens qualified for match play last year.
Mark Vassalotti (Sterling Farms Men’s GC): Since 2020 Vassalotti has been a runner-up, a quarterfinalist, and a semifinalist at the Senior Match Play Championship.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Senior Match Play 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.
