(Ben Conroy ties off on hole #10 at Oyster Harbors)
The 85th playing of the annual Tri-State Matches between Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts stands tied at 48 points apiece after the first day of the competition. In the Ryder Cup style match play format, teams competed for 1 point on the front nine, 1 point on the back, and 1 point for the overall 18.
Each state is represented by sixteen players, including six seniors. Massachusetts is hosting this year at Oyster Harbors Club in Osterville.
Day one featured 36 holes of foursomes play. After the morning session Massachusetts and Rhode Island were tied at 25 with Connecticut trailing at 22. Connecticut made up ground in the afternoon producing the unusual three-way tie.
“It’s often not too close after the first day, much less tied,” remarked Team Captain Roger Everin. “Usually you’re hoping to gain a small lead or stay close if one of the other teams is playing really well.”
Dan Murphy of H. Smith Richardson was Connecticut’s top performer on Tuesday. Out of a possible 12 total points, Murphy garnered 11.5, teaming in the morning with Mike Kennedy of New Haven CC to win 5.5, and James Sheltman of Alling Memorial in the afternoon for a 6-point sweep.
Other key contributors for Connecticut included Glen Boggini of Manchester CC and Pat Griffin of Blue Fox Run who partnered in the afternoon and also produced the maximum of 6-points for their team.
Connecticut is looking to break the stranglehold Massachusetts has applied to the Tri-States. The Bay State has won 14 straight dating back to 2003 when Connecticut won the Matches at Kittansett Club.
The Tri-State Matches conclude on Wednesday morning with singles competition. The featured match pits Connecticut Player of the Year, Ben Conroy against Rhode Island’s Jamie Lukowicz, and Matt Parziale of Massachusetts. Parziale, the 2017 US Mid-Amateur champion, was the low amateur at the 2018 US Open.
