Baltic, Connecticut (June 29, 2026) – On day one of the 20th Connecticut Senior Match Play, Bill Hermanson fired a 4-under 67 to earn medalist honors.
Following a birdie-bogey start at Mohegan Sun Golf Club, Hermanson (Black Hall Club) played flawless golf the rest of the way to earn a four-shot victory and the top seed when the format switches to match play on Tuesday.
The 2015 champion knows his day one score is only the start of a long week, but “It’s a good way to build momentum,” said Bill Hermanson.
Still level par after four holes, the Connecticut Golf Hall of Famer moved into the red for good with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 fifth. He then moved to 2-under after stuffing his approach shot on the par-4 seventh to two feet. Another birdie followed on No. 10 before he hit it to two feet again on No. 17 for his fifth and final birdie of the day.
“I have some momentum (heading into match play),” said Hermanson, who didn’t miss a green in regulation on Monday. “I like the golf course. It’s in great shape. It suits my eye.”
Hermanson hopes it will continue to fit his eye on day two in the Rounds of 32 and 16. Play on Tuesday will begin at 8 a.m. with the Round of 16 to follow in the afternoon. Wednesday will feature the quarterfinals and semifinals with the championship match scheduled for Thursday.
The top five on Monday was rounded out by Ronald Soccoli (New Haven CC) and Shane Hassett (Glastonbury Hill CC) in a tie for second place at even par. Meanwhile, defending champion Rick Malafronte (Wallingford CC), five-time champion Dave Szewczul (TPC River Highlands), Jason Zaniewski (Watertown GC), and Keith Salamon (Tunxis CC) shared fourth at 2-over.
The final spots in the Round of 32 were determined by an 8-for-3 playoff at 7-over with Donal Reilly (H. Smith Richardson GC), Stuart Goldstein (Keney GC), and Mike Dukette (Keney GC) advancing to match play.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Senior Match Play 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.
