(May 9, 2023) – Since regaining his amateur status in 2020 Cody Paladino had been knocking on the door in CSGA major championships. Entering last season, he had finished in second place five times in major championships including two defeats on the 36th hole at the Connecticut Amateur. All those frustrations melted away last May when Paladino broke through the door and won the Russell C. Palmer Cup presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop in emphatic fashion.
Now the two-time Russell C. Palmer Cup winner has his sights set on accomplishing something that has never been done in the history of the event and that is repeat as champion. Paladino will attempt to defend his title on May 15-16. However, after winning the championship at Wampanoag Country Club last year he will have to do it on a different but familiar course.
“I’m thrilled to have a chance to defend the Palmer Cup title, but mostly just excited to play an event at the Country Club of Waterbury again,” said Paladino who won his first Russell C. Palmer Cup title in 2013 at the course. “I’ve always loved just being on the property there, hitting that opening tee shot right next to the clubhouse. It’s really the start of the major season, so to speak, so I really can’t wait.”
Following a one-year hiatus the Russell C. Palmer Cup will return to the Donald Ross designed CC of Waterbury where the event has been played 12 times.
“The CC of Waterbury is thrilled to have the Palmer Cup back,” head professional Brad Lusenhop said. “Players will face many of Donald’s classic design features including treacherous false fronts and smaller turtleback greens. Every facet of your game is tested, and the best player will be identified and crowned as the champion.”
The 6,550-yard par-69 layout with just one par-5 will be a challenge from tee to green throughout each round but there may be no bigger challenge than navigating the course’s variable par-3s. None could be more demanding than the 234-yard par-3 14th hole. The hole comes at a crucial point in the round and requires a precise tee shot. If a player misses the green getting up and down to save par will be difficult.
Following the 14th there is no let-up on the way into the clubhouse as the field will face four par-4s, including two of the most demanding of the course. Players will need to display diverse shot-making as they make their way through the final stretch of the course.
“Waterbury is just an amazing golf course,” Paladino said. “When you consider Donald Ross designed the current course almost 100 years ago, and yet it’s still such a challenge even with modern equipment, I think that really sets it apart from most courses around Connecticut and even New England. Of course, with only one par-5, you don’t get many holes where you can just relax and breathe. It’s an excellent mix of par 4s and some very challenging par 3s too.”
Play at the 20th Russell C. Palmer will begin on Monday, May 15 at 7:30 a.m. Following the first round, the field will be cut to the top-39 and ties for the 36-hole final day.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 102
Past Champions (4): Cody Paladino (2013 & 2022), Rick Dowling (2020), Rick Hayes (2019), Ben Day (2015)
Players to Watch:
Ben Carpenter (CC of Darien): Last year’s Connecticut Amateur winner will make his 2023 CSGA debut at the CC of Waterbury. Carpenter had a strong sophomore season for the Yale Bulldogs earning second team All-Ivy League honors.
Ben Conroy (New Haven CC): Conroy won the 2018 Connecticut Amateur and in 2020 he won the Connecticut Mid-Amateur. Last year he made a run to the semifinals of the Connecticut Amateur.
Ben Day (New Haven CC): The 2015 Russell C. Palmer Cup winner nearly won the title for a second time in 2020 only to fall a little short. In 2022 Day finished fourth at the Connecticut Mid-Amateur and reached the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur.
Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center): Last year Rick Dowling, the 2020 Russell C. Palmer Cup winner, continued his impressive play. He won the Connecticut Mid-Amateur, reached the finals of the Connecticut Amateur, and finished T4 at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Anthony Guerrera (Watertown GC): 2022 was a strong year for Guerrera. He finished T7 at the Russell C. Palmer Cup, reached the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur, tied for second at the Connecticut Four-Ball, and qualified for the Tri-State team. He started his 2023 season off with a win at the Two Man Championship.
Rick Hayes (Silver Spring CC): The 2019 Russell C. Palmer Cup champion finished 10th last year.
Bill Hermanson (Black Hall Club): The Connecticut Golf Hall of Famer had a strong 2022 season making the cut at both the Russell C. Palmer Cup and the Connecticut Mid-Amateur while also reaching the Round of 32 at the Connecticut Amateur. In senior events, Hermanson reached the knockout stage at the Senior Match Play and then at the Connecticut Senior Amateur held at the CC of Waterbury he tied for second.
Will Lodge (CC of Darien): In 2022 Will Lodge captured the Connecticut Junior Amateur title. Lodge enters the CSGA season fresh off of a strong first year for Yale that included three top-5 finishes. His best finish was a second place showing.
AJ Ouimet (EClub of Connecticut): Last year Ouimet was part of the early story at the Russell C. Palmer Cup before settling for a T4 finish. He followed up that performance with a tied for second showing at the Connecticut Four-Ball. His strong play helped him earn a spot on the Tri-State team. Ouimet started his 2023 season off with a win at the Two Man Championship.
Cody Paladino (Hartford GC): The defending champion and three-time reigning Dick Tettlebach Player of the Year will be looking to become the first player to ever go back-to-back at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Jamie Sheltman (Wallingford CC): Last year was another steady season for Jamie Sheltman highlighted by a third-place finish at the Russell C. Palmer Cup. His year also included a win at the Two Man Championship and a Round of 32 showing at the Connecticut Amateur.
Dave Szewczul (TPC River Highlands): Last October Szewzul, a member of the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame, won his fourth Connecticut Senior Amateur title at the CC of Waterbury.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Russell C. Palmer Cup 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.
