Wallingford, Connecticut (September 9, 2025) – As many as eight players had a chance down the stretch to win the 80th Connecticut Senior Amateur hosted by Wallingford Country Club.
With Brian Hedstrom (Indian Hill CC) sitting at 3-under and three shots clear, the final round began as is tradition at the Connecticut Senior Amateur with a shotgun start. However, when Hedstrom struggled, the race was wide open and by the time play reached the final hole of the day, the getable par-4 17th, multiple scenarios were in play.
Let’s set the scene. On a gorgeous early September afternoon at Wallingford Country Club, a wild afternoon of golf that could have resulted in any number of winners had been whittled down to four contenders. D. Scott Mackesy, who was already in the house at 4-over along with Bob Murphy, Jr. (Brownson CC) and Brian Hedstrom, both of whom were still on the course with one hole to play. Meanwhile, James Lawler (Mohegan Sun GC) was just one off the pace at 5-over and playing alongside Murphy, Jr. and Hedstrom.
Now for the scenarios in play.
- Scenario 1: D. Scott Mackesy (Bull’s Bridge GC), who was in the house at 4-over (73-73,) could win outright if both Murphy, Jr. and Hedstrom slipped up on No. 17 and if Lawler failed to birdie the hole.
- Scenario 2: Brian Hedstrom could win outright on the final hole.
- Scenario 3: Bob Murphy, Jr. could win outright on the final hole.
- Scenario 4: James Lawler could play his way into a playoff with a birdie or even a victory with an eagle.
- Scenario 5: A playoff that could have included any combination of Mackesy, Lawler, Murphy, Jr., and Hedstrom.
On this day, scenario three was the one that played out. Murphy, Jr. began the final round even-par and three shots off the pace of Hedstrom. For Murphy, Jr. much of the day was a struggle and after 15 holes, he found himself one shot back at 4-over for his day and the tournament.
With holes running out and knowing that he needed to make up ground, the 2023 champion altered his game plan.
“The last couple of holes, I switched my game plan a little bit. I knew I was behind, so I just played aggressively,” Bob Murphy, Jr. explained.
On the par-5 15th, the 16th hole of the day, Murphy, Jr. hit one of his best drives of the final round and with just 155 yards in set up his first birdie. That birdie moved Murphy, Jr. to 3-over and briefly into a tie for the lead with Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC).
Looking to feed off the momentum from his birdie on No. 15, Murphy, Jr. hit a strong 6-iron into the green of the par-3 16th but would three-putt to give the shot right back. That bogey set the stage for a dramatic final hole with multiple scenarios still in play.
Both Murphy, Jr. and Hedstrom hit good drives and were left with short pitches into the green of the 320-yard par-4 17th. Playing first, Hedstrom pitched his second shot to seven feet, setting up a birdie look.
Now it was Murphy, Jr’s. turn. Facing a 33-yard shot, Murphy, Jr. continued to play aggressively. Taking dead aim at the pin, Murphy, Jr. was looking to end the proceedings right then and there, and he nearly did lipping out his approach shot leaving himself just two feet for birdie.
Up on the green, Hedstrom would putt first. Despite all the struggles for the first round leader, the two-time Connecticut Amateur still had a chance to make some noise. Knowing he likely needed to make his first birdie of the day to force a playoff Hedstrom sent his birdie try on the way only to watch it slip by, resulting in a par.
The stage was now set for Murphy, Jr. and with the championship riding on his putter, he brushed in the two-foot birdie try to secure his second Connecticut Senior Amateur title.
“I still can’t believe it,” Murphy, Jr. said after his round. “I know that I was never in the lead by myself the whole day. It’s surreal. I’m still shocked. I really am.”
Murphy, Jr. would finish the 36-hole tournament 3-over-par (71-74) and one shot clear of both Hedstrom and Mackesy who tied for second at 4-over. Rounding out the top five were Keith Stone (Connecticut National GC), Dave Szewczul (TPC River Highlands), Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC), and James Lawler (Mohegan Sun GC) in a tie for fourth at 5-over.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Senior Amateur 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.
