Hamden, Connecticut (May 12, 2022) – On a glorious spring day at New Haven Country Club the Connecticut State Golf Association won the Julius Boros Challenge Cup for a record fifth consecutive year. In the 51st playing of the annual matches the CSGA was able to edge out the Connecticut Section PGA by a tally of 40.5-31.5.
“This was as nervous as I have been since I have been captain,” said sixth-year Team Captain Roger Everin. “I really wasn’t sure what was going to happen with the new pairings and the new guys that we have. I knew it would be close and it was.”
The necessary separation was created in large part because of the stellar play out of the groups of Cody Paladino/Nick Cook, Patrick Griffin/James Sheltman, Dave Jones/Bill Hermanson, and Ben Conroy/Rick Hayes.
Paladino (Hartford GC) and Cook (Tashua Knolls GC) led the CSGA in points earning all nine potential points while Griffin (GC of Avon) and Sheltman (Wallingford CC) earned 7.5 points. The tandems of Jones (Mohegan Sun GC) and Hermanson (Black Hall Club); Conroy (New Haven CC) and Hayes (Silver Spring CC) tallied 5.5 points.
For Jones and Hermanson both of their matches came down to the wire with the duo birdieing the 9th and 18th holes to swing tied matches in their favor. Hermanson birdied No. 9 to secure the victory and on No. 18 Jones jarred a 40-foot putt for birdie to win the match.
The Connecticut Section PGA, who still holds a 34-17 advantage in the all-time series, were led by 7.5 points from Fran Marrello (PGA Life Member) and Mike Martin (Tashua Knolls GC). Marrello and Martin’s day was highlighted by a hole out eagle from 110 yards out by Marrello on the par-5 18th. The Connecticut Section PGA also received an impressive performance from Bob Mucha (Edgewood GC) and Kevin Mahaffy (Pequabuck GC) who earned six points.
However, the Julius Boros Challenge Cup isn’t all about who wins or loses. It is about bringing together the Connecticut golf community.
“When you see all the guys it is great,” said Dave Jones. “Everyone is together and it is a lot of fun. It is just special to be part of these events and I think everyone agrees with that.”
Those feelings were echoed by Everin. “Fran Marrello brought pictures from the past and you make these relationships. A lot of these guys right now won’t know for another 10-20 years the pros they played against. Guys from both sides will be Connecticut Golf Hall of Famers and they will look back and say I played against those guys.”
The remainder of the CSGA scoring was rounded out by Brian Ahern (Wampanoag CC)/Eric Bleile (eClub of Connecticut) with four points, Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center)/Ben Day (CC of Waterbury) with four points, Nick Waddington (Manchester CC)/Brett Shulick (Great River GC) with three points, and Dick Stevens (eClub of Connecticut)/Donal Reilly (H. Smith Richardson GC) with two points.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association 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.
