Dave Szewczul from Tunxis Plantation Golf Course in Farmington completed an amazing seven day stretch of golf by winning the 66th Connecticut Senior Amateur Championship at Simsbury Farms Golf Course.
Szewczul, who successfully defended his New England Senior Amateur title at Race Brook Country Club in Orange, Conn. last week, began the day just one shot off the lead held by six players with first round totals of 1 over par 73. Due to the shotgun start format, Szewczul would start his day on the third hole. After making his first bogey, of two, on the tenth hole, Szewczul would go on to birdie holes thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen to get him to one over par for the tournament.
While Szewczul’s play remained steady throughout the day others were making their own charge up the leaderboard. Kevin Foster from Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury was on his way to the round of the tournament. Foster shot an opening round 77 which put him four strokes behind the leaders at the beginning of the day. Foster’s second round would be nine shots better and not include a bogey. Foster’s four under par 68 put him tied with Szewczul while another player was also making a move. The 2005 Senior Match Play Champion, Bill Torza from Timberlin Golf Course in Berlin also began the day just one shot back and after three bogeys and four birdies he would find himself in a playoff with Szewczul and Foster for the Championship.
Szewczul hit his second shot to the green on the first playoff hole (hole #1) to less than three feet while both of his competitors looked on. Neither player gave an inch as both players would hit the green in regulation and make their birdie putts. After Szewczul tapped his birdie putt in, the playoff moved on to the par four second hole. All three players hit beautiful tee shots into the fairway. After Torza's second landed thirty feet from the hole, Szewczul stepped up to his ball and hit an incredible shot that would settle five feet from the hole. Foster would fail to get up and down from the back of the green and Torza’s birdie attempt came up well short. Szewczul addressed his birdie putt with the same confidence he has shown all season and knocked the putt in the back of the hole to claim his first Connecticut Senior Amateur.
With a win this week Szewczul wrapped up the Dick Siderowf Award as Senior Player of the Year for the third straight season. He is also second on the Dick Tettelbach Player of the Year rankings, which is awarded to the top golfer in recognized CSGA competitions each year.
