(September 23, 2024) – The CSGA will close out its 2024 major championship calendar with the 79th Connecticut Senior Amateur at the Country Club of New New Canaan. Set to begin on September 30 with the final round to follow the next day, the field will include defending champion Bob Murphy along with eight additional past champions.
“I’m just happy and really fortunate that I was able to get it done last year. I (still) don’t know if I can put it into words. It’s like validation,” Bob Murphy said when looking back at his victory. “I always thought I could (win a CSGA major) but I never thought it would happen and when it did it was awesome.”
Murphy will now be seeking to defend on the par-70 6,277 yard CC of New Canaan layout. A regular host of CSGA events, the CC of New Canaan most recently hosted the Connecticut Mid-Amateur in 2022.
“When I came to the CC of New Canaan seven seasons ago we came up with a game plan to host one major event per season from our affiliated associations,” head professional Adam Rainaud said. “We really want to let the best players in the state get to test their games on our ever-improving golf course. We enjoy seeing how the course plays and we listen to feedback so that we can continue to improve.”
Established in 1893 the CC of New Canaan is a traditional old-style New England golf course with its small and undulating greens serving as its biggest defense.
“I think we have a very difficult opening stretch,” Rainaud said. Holes 1-3 are tough enough that if you stand at even or 1 over on the fourth tee you are doing well. Then, after a mild par-5 fourth hole, you come to a 205-yard par 3 with a well-protected green and then our longest par-4 with water weaving throughout the entire hole. If you can be in good shape through six holes you can make a lot of birdies on the remaining stretch.”
Speaking about his approach to the CC of New Canaan Murphy said, “It’s a tight course. It’s a target course and you have to put your shots in exact positions and be below the pins. Whoever does that the best is going to come out on top.”
The 79th Connecticut Senior Amateur will begin on Monday, September 30 at 8 a.m. with the final round to follow on Tuesday. The top 39 and ties will make the cut and compete in the final round.
Notes on the Field
Number of Players: 78
Past Champions (9): Bob Murphy (2023), Donal Reilly (2021), Richard Stevens (2007 & 2020), Bill Hermanson (2015 & 2019), Ray Underwood (2018), Patrick McGuiness (2017), Mark Vasington (2014), Shawn McLoughlin (2001), William Dober (1997 & 2000)
Players to Watch:
David Baker (Wallingford CC): Earlier this year David Baker captured the Senior Match Play title.
Glen Boggini (Ellington Ridge CC): The 2023 Senior Match Play winner reached the quarterfinals earlier this year in his title defense. Boggini also won the Indian Hill Country Club One Day Tournament.
Bill Hermanson (Black Hall Club): The two-time Connecticut Senior Amateur winner captured his first Super Senior Championship at the end of August. He also recently shared the title at the Country Club of Waterbury One Day Tournament.
Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC): Fresh off an appearance in the U.S. Senior Amateur Jones will once again be a threat. Jones won the 2022 Senior Match Play Championship and this year he has won four One Day Tournament titles.
Bob Murphy (Brownson CC): The defending champion won his club championship in a fifth different decade earlier this year. Murphy, 65 years old, also shot his age for the first time, actually, he bettered his age carding a 63.
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.
