(July 21, 2026) – For just the third time in tournament history and for the first time since 2010, the Country Club of Fairfield will host the Connecticut Open.
This year, from July 27-29, a field of 144, including defending champion Mike Ballo, Jr. and 11 other past champions, will vie for the title of the 92nd Connecticut Open.
Tee Times I Pairings to Watch I Watch Live First Round Coverage Beginning at 9:15 a.m. (Approx.)
One year ago, Ballo, Jr. made history when he joined his father, Mike Ballo, Sr., and brother Peter Ballo as a Connecticut Open champion. The Ballos are the only family to have had three members win a Connecticut Open title. Ballo, Jr. now has a chance to become the first player to win back-to-back titles since his brother accomplished the feat in 2021 and 2022.
“A year removed, and I can still remember the weight lifted off my shoulders when I watched that last putt go in,” Mike Ballo, Jr. said. “To achieve a life goal that had become more special with it being something that cemented the family legacy was a dream come true. Then being able to be in that moment with my wife and family, I will never forget it.”
This year’s championship will be played along Long Island Sound on the Country Club of Fairfield’s par-70, 6,500-yard layout.
“To play well at the Country Club of Fairfield, competitors will need to use sound judgement when playing in the wind,” head professional Eric Steindel said. “Even though our course only measures 6,500 yards, there is a premium on keeping the ball in play.”
For players who wander away from the fairways and greens, they will need to avoid the fescue, numerous penalty areas, and the 86 bunkers that dot the seaside layout. If players can avoid the trouble, they will “have opportunities to make birdie,” Steindel expressed.
Ballo, Jr., added, “I think the key to success is going to be distance control. All aspects of your game will have to be great to win at a place as prestigious as the CC of Fairfield. But if the wind is up, and the greens are as fast as I think they will get them, you will need ultimate control of your distances to ensure you are able to save par and give yourself good birdie looks.”
Play at the 92nd Connecticut Open will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, July 27 with players going off both sides. The schedule will remain the same for Tuesday’s second round before the field is cut to the top 50 and ties ahead of Wednesday’s final round.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 144
Past Champions (12): Mike Ballo, Jr. (2025), Jackson Roman (2024), Peter Ballo (2021, 2022), Max Theodorakis (2020), Rasmey Kong (2019), Jeff Evanier (2017), Adam Rainaud (2016), Cody Paladino (2015), Nick Cook (2005, 2006), Kyle Gallo (1998, 2000, 2004, 2010), Michael Downey (1990), Jim Becker (1975, 1976)
Players to Watch:
Mike Ballo, Jr. – After a number of close calls, last year Ballo, Jr. finally won his Connecticut Open title. Previously, Ballo, Jr. had finished T2, T3, T4, and seventh.
Peter Ballo – The 2021 and 2022 winner finished T3 in 2024 and T4 in 2023. In 2024, Ballo won the New York State Open at Bethpage Black and was the 2024 Met PGA Player of the Year. Ballo played in the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
Kyle Gallo – With a record-tying four Connecticut Open titles, Gallo is always a threat. Gallo has won the previous two Connecticut Opens held at the Country Club of Fairfield.
Michael Miller – The two-time New York State Open winner will make his second Connecticut Open appearance. 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.
Jared Nelson – Last year’s runner-up, Nelson finished fifth at the Maine Open earlier this summer. Nelson is a former UConn standout.
Cody Paladino – The 2015 champion finished as the low amateur in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, he finished T5. Earlier this year, Paladino reached the finals of the Connecticut Amateur.
David Pastore – So far in 2026, Pastore has won both the Rhode Island Open and New Hampshire Open. Additionally, last year he won the Met Open. In his last two Connecticut Open appearances, he has finished second and T5.
Jackson Roman – The 2024 Connecticut Open champion, recently turned professional after completing his career at Loyola University Maryland. Roman twice reached the semifinals of the Connecticut Amateur, including last year.
Bradley Sawka – The low amateur one year ago, Sawka is wrapping up his summer before heading to the University of Oklahoma after three years at UConn. Last year, Sawka reached the finals of the Connecticut Amateur and earned Dick Tettelbach Player of the Year honors. Sawka played his way into the quarterfinals of the Connecticut Amateur last month.
Max Theodorakis – The 2020 Connecticut Open winner at Ridgewood Country Club has added three top-five finishes at the Connecticut Open since his victory.
Jason Thresher – The 2024 and 2025 New Hampshire Open champion lost this year in a playoff to David Pastore. The three-time winner of the Massachusetts Open always seems to play well in the Connecticut Open, finishing third in 2024, T2 in 2023, and T4 in 2019. Thresher also won the New England Open in 2019.
Editor’s Note: Hero image of the Country Club of Fairfield is courtesy of the Metropolitan Golf Association.
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.
