Windsor, Connecticut (August 7, 2024) – After two days of grinding in soggy conditions at the 39th Connecticut Public Links Adam Friedman surveyed a 21-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole, the 457-yard par-4 ninth at Keney Park Golf Course. If the putt fell Friedman would earn his first CSGA major title.
Friedman stalked the downhill putt from all angles before settling over the ball. Then with little hesitation, Friedman sent the ball rolling towards the hole. From the moment the ball left the putter it only had eyes for the bottom of the cup and once it dropped Friedman was able to celebrate his first CSGA major title.
“When I look back on this win, while it’s really great to finish first,” Friedman explained. “I can’t help but think about all the months and years of work and mistakes. (To finally) get to this point is great. It feels great, but I still feel like I have a lot more to prove to myself.”
Friedman (Great River GC) began the day leading by one shot and led by as many as three as play headed to the back nine. However, 2024 Connecticut Amateur semifinalist Ashton Lewis wasn’t going to go down without a fight.
Playing in the group ahead of Friedman, Lewis (H. Smith Richardson GC) played the front nine in 1 over 36 to make the turn in even-par but when he birdied the par-4 10th while Friedman bogeyed it the race was on, and with eight holes remaining Friedman led by just one.
With momentum on his side, Lewis pulled even with a birdie on the par-4 14th setting the stage for a dramatic finish. As the crowd following the action grew it was Friedman who made the first move of the stretch run.
Playing the 397-yard par-4 16th the former Florida Atlantic University golfer found the fairway off the tee and then landed a wedge 15 feet past the pin and watched as it spun back to eight feet. With a a chance to regain the lead, Friedman delivered rolling in the birdie putt to return to 3 under.
Meanwhile, on the 369-yard par-4 17th Lewis faced a 35-foot uphill birdie putt with a chance to pull even once again. Without wasting much time the recently graduated Eastern Connecticut star sent the ball rolling toward the cup and when it disappeared he unleashed a vicious fist pump. The proceedings were once again tied, this time at 3 under.
Moments later Friedman had a look for birdie on No. 17 but when the putt slid by and after both players parred the 197-yard par-3 18th the 39th Connecticut Public Links was headed for a playoff.
On the first extra hole, Lewis split the fairway and then left himself 25 feet from the cup following his approach shot. For Friedman, things proved to be much more difficult. His drive found the rough and with 161 yards remaining he was forced to hit a swinging, hooking 9-iron that came to rest 21 feet above the hole.
With a chance to putt first Lewis’ birdie attempt from 25 feet burned the edge clearing the way for Friedman.
“Four or five years ago I had some physical setbacks which I’ve been able to correct, but I actually took a good chunk of time off and didn’t know how often I’d be able to practice or play,” said Friedman. “After the injury, I promised myself that I would do whatever I could to improve my game, and in the last 18 months, I have continuously improved. For that improvement, I have to give credit to my mental coach, my emotional focus therapist and I definitely can’t do anything without my parents and their support.”
The top five was rounded out by Joe Bonyai (EClub of Connecticut), Anthony Salvador (Blue Fox Run), and Liam Blanc (Great River GC) all of whom finished 2 over and in a tie for third place.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Public Links 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.
