(May 8, 2025) – This year at the 54th Julius Boros Challenge Cup the Connecticut State Golf Association will be on the quest for an unprecedented eighth victory in a row. The CSGA will put its winning streak against the Connecticut Section PGA on the line on May 15 at New Haven Country Club.
Overall, the Connecticut Section PGA holds a commanding 34-20 advantage in the series but in recent years it has been the CSGA who has dominated the matches. Since 2018 when the CSGA snapped a six-year losing streak they have won the annual matches by double digits all but once.
This year, after being played at Shuttle Meadow Country Club last year, the annual matches will return to New Haven Country Club. 2025 will mark the 49th time that the club has hosted the Julius Boros Challenge Cup.
“All the players are looking forward to returning to New Haven CC since the course renovations last year,” said ninth-year team captain Roger Everin. “New Haven CC is always a great test and both teams are excited for the opportunity.”
Speaking of players, the CSGA will be returning eight players from last year’s team along with four others who have played in the Julius Boros Challenge Cup previously. Five Julius Boros Challenge Cup rookies will join the returners. The group includes Ashton Lewis and Michael Hooper, both of whom played in the 2024 Tri-State Matches. The roster will be rounded out by first-time CSGA team members Justin Beal, Tim Bickford, and Chris Flowers.
Once again, Everin will enter the matches with a strong team. However, when talking about his expectations Everin said, “No matter the outcome, representing the CSGA in this prestigious event is an experience they will always remember.”
Those experiences will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 15 with matches beginning on Nos. 1 and 10.
CSGA Roster:
- Justin Beal (Timberlin GC)
- Tim Bickford (Wallingford CC)
- Ben Day (New Haven CC)
- Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center)
- Chris Flowers (H Smith Richardson GC)
- Adam Friedman (Great River GC)
- Anthony Guerrera (Watertown GC)
- Rick Hayes (Silver Spring CC)
- Mike Kennedy (Tashua Knolls GC)
- Ashton Lewis (H Smith Richardson GC)
- Jamie Sheltman (Wallingford CC)
- John Steinberg (New Haven CC)
Seniors
- Brian Hedstrom (Indian Hill CC)
- Michael Hooper (Brooklawn CC)
- Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC)
- Patrick McGuiness (Keney GC)
Captain: Roger Everin
Connecticut Section PGA Roster:
- Marc Bayram (Timberlin GC)
- Bob Bigonette (H Smith Richardson GC)
- Jordan Gosler (Manchester CC)
- Michael Jezierski (Raceway GC)
- Brian Keiser (Longmeadow CC)
- CJ Konkowski (Hartford GC)
- Brad Lusenhop (CC of Waterbury)
- Joe Mentz (Mohegan Sun GC)
- Terry Slater (Race Brook CC)
- William Street (Chris Bargas GC at Whitney Farms)
- Chris Tallman (Greathorse)
- William Wallis (New Haven CC)
Seniors
- Jason Gobleck (Lyman Orchards GC)
- Fran Marrello (PGA Life Member)
- Bob Mucha (Edgewood CC)
- Jan Wivestad (Chris Cote’s Southington)
Captain: Bob Sparks (Honorary President)
Format: Play will begin at 9:30 a.m. with matches going off both sides. Players will compete in teams of two, with individual matches played simultaneously. Each match, team, and individual is worth three points, one for the first nine, one for the second nine, and one overall. Nine points are at stake in each foursome. The teams compete for the Julius Boros Trophy, donated by Boros, the former PGA and U.S. Open champion who hailed from Connecticut. The members of the professional team qualify by finishing among the top eight in the section PGA Player of the Year point standings and the top four seniors in the section Senior PGA Player of the Year point standings. Also joining the team is the reigning Connecticut PGA Champion, the PGA Professional from the host club, and two captain’s selections. Members of the amateur side, in both regular and senior categories, likewise earn points in a Player of the Year competition and are chosen accordingly. All points were earned in 2024.
About the Associations
The Connecticut State Golf Association 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.
The Connecticut Section PGA is one of 41 sections chartered that together comprise the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA of America). There are a total of 350 golf professionals affiliated with the section (292 PGA Members and 58 Registered Apprentices). These professionals are employed at over 175 PGA Recognized Golf Facilities throughout the region.
