(July 22, 2024) – Brett Stegmaier headlines a deep field at the 90th Connecticut Open presented by GSB. Returning to Shorehaven Golf Club for the first time since 1959, the 2024 Connecticut Open will be played from July 29-31 and will feature a field of 147 players that includes 14 past champions.
“Shorehaven GC has a rich history with the CSGA,” said Shorehaven GC head professional Mike Laganza. “We have had some really good players come out of Shorehaven GC including Jerry Courville, Sr., Tommy McDonough, Sr., Tommy McDonough, Jr., and Cameron Wilson. There is a lot of pride here and we really want to showcase our club. We are very proud of our golf course and the condition it is in.”
A gorgeous Willie Park, Jr. and Robert White designed layout with breathtaking views of Long Island Sound, Shorehaven GC has hosted many luminaries throughout its history including Babe Ruth, Gene Tunney, Gene Sarazen, and Masters Champion Jimmy Demaret in a 1940 charity golf match.
Fast forward to 2024 and the biggest names in modern day Connecticut golf will be attempting to tame the 6,550-yard par-71 layout.
“I think the biggest challenge is twofold,” explained Laganza. “We are right on the water so if the wind picks up the course can play very, very difficult. But the biggest challenge will be the greens. They are firm and fast and depending on where you are if you are above the hole there are some hole locations you might not be able to stop it on the green. I think that is going to be the biggest challenge.”
Among those set to take on the challenge of Shorehaven GC is defending champion Brett Stegmaier. Last year Stegmaier rallied in the final round to earn his first Connecticut Open title.
“I had been playing really well last summer,” Brett Stegmaier said. “I Mondayed for a couple of PGA Tour events and played well. I wasn’t really playing great the couple of weeks leading into the Connecticut Open. I was kind of searching. But the win at Shuttle Meadow culminated a really good summer. It was nice to get a big win under my belt.”
Stegmaier, who has played regularly on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, will now be looking to defend on a course he is seeing for the first time.
“I’m coming up a little early to kind of hang around my home club, New Haven Country Club and I will definitely play a practice round at Shorehaven GC,” Stegmaier said. “Like most Connecticut courses it will be about play around the greens. I haven’t had a chance to often throughout my career to defend a title so I am definitely excited for it.”
The 90th Connecticut Open presented by GSB will begin on Monday, July 29 at 7 a.m. with the second round to follow on Tuesday. After the completion of the second round the top 50 players and ties will make the cut and advance to Wednesday’s final round.
Media Day Coverage:
- WFSB
- Fox 61
- NBC CT
- Patch
- CT Insider – Connecticut Open begins Monday at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk with 14 past championship in field
- Photo Gallery
Additional Note: The Rob Dibble Show will be broadcasting live from the Connecticut Open on July 29 and 30. Click here for more information.
Rob Dibble Show Connecticut Open Preview Interviews:
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 147
Past Champions (14): Brett Stegmaier (2023), Peter Ballo (2021, 2022), Max Theodorakis (2020), Rasmey Kong (2019), Adam Rainaud (2016), Cody Paladino (2015), Frank Bensel (2009, 2011, 2014), Jeff Curl (2007, 2013), Kyle Gallo (1998, 2000, 2o04, 2010), Nick Cook (2005, 2006), Michael Gilmore (1993, 1997), Ken Green (1985, 1992), Jack McConachie (1984), Jim Becker (1975, 1976)
Players to Watch:
Mike Ballo, Jr. – The 2019 Met PGA New York State Open winner at Bethpage Black has made a run at the Connecticut Open on numerous occasions but has never hoisted the trophy. In 2022 he was seventh, in 2018 he finished T4, and in 2016 he was T2. Earlier this year he won the POLO Met PGA Head Professional Championship.
Peter Ballo – The 2021 and 2022 winner will come into this year’s Connecticut Open fresh off a win at the New York State Open at Bethpage Black. Last year Ballo nearly won a third straight title before settling for a T4 finish.
Chris Fosdick – The two-time Connecticut Amateur winner recently graduated from the University of Virginia and is beginning his professional career. Fosdick won his first Connecticut Amateur title in 2020 at Shorehaven GC.
Kyle Gallo – With a record-tying four Connecticut Open titles Gallo is always a threat.
Ken Green – The 1985 and 1992 winner and former PGA Tour player returns to the Connecticut Open this year. Green won five times on the PGA Tour, reached No. 15 in the World Golf Rankings, and was a member of the 1989 U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Michael Miller – The two-time New York State Open winner will make his Connecticut Open debut this year. A decorated player, Miller has played in the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club while also playing in 70 Korn Ferry Tour events. A winner of the 2022 Woodstock Open, Miller took fourth at the 2023 Colorado State Open.
Cody Paladino (a) – The low amateur each of the last two years, Paladino won the Russell C. Palmer Cup in May. Last year Paladino shot a 7 under 64 in the final round of the Connecticut Open and finished T4.
Austin Perkins (a) – The 2024 Connecticut Amateur winner will be paired with defending champion Brett Stegmaier and two-time Connecticut Amateur winner Chris Fosdick.
Casey Pyne – A consistent name atop the leaderboard in recent years, Pyne finished T4 last year. In 2022 Pyne played in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club.
Brett Stegmaier – The defending champion will be among the favorites once again this year. In June Stegmaier was T3 at the Massachusetts Open.
Andrew Svoboda – Set to make his second appearance in the Connecticut Open, Svoboda has played in both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship this year. Svoboda has won three times on the Korn Ferry Tour and he played on the PGA Tour in 2015 and 2016.
Max Theodorakis – The 2020 Connecticut Open winner at Ridgewood Country Club has added two top-five finishes at the Connecticut Open since his victory. In 2021 he finished T2 at the Massachusetts Open.
Brad Tilley (a) – One of the best mid-amateur players in the country, Tilley earned 2022 MGA Player of the Year honors. In 2022 Tilley won four times capturing the Mittlemark Invitational, Westchester Open, Met Amateur, and The Farrell. Tilley has also reached match play at the U.S. Mid-Amateur three times since 2017. In 2017 Tilley earned medalist honors and reached the quarterfinals. Tilley is also a two-time medalist winner at the Connecticut Amateur including in 2020 at Shorehaven GC.
Jason Thresher – The 2024 New Hampshire Open winner returns to the Connecticut Open where he seemingly always plays well. A three-time winner of the Massachusetts Open Thresher finished third last year at the Connecticut Open, T2 in 2023, and T4 in 2019. Thresher also won the New England Open in 2019.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Open 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.
