(June 24, 2025) – From June 30-July 3 the 19th Senior Match Play Championship will be contested at first-time host Mill River Country Club.
A field of 78, including ten past champions, will begin the week with 18 holes of stroke play qualifying before the field slowly shrinks down. Tuesday will feature the Round of 32 and 16 followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals on Wednesday before the 18-hole title match is contested on Thursday.
Highlighting the group of past champions will be defending champion David Baker.
“Winning a major last year in my first attempt was an incredible feeling, and now having the opportunity to defend that title is something I’m really excited about,” said David Baker. “It’s a whole new kind of pressure, but I welcome it. I’m looking forward to feeling those nerves again and reconnecting with familiar faces—it’s part of what makes the experience so special.”
Baker and the rest of the field will battle the par-70 6,295-yard layout that will provide players with a number of challenges.
“The key to success is definitely short game and putting,” head professional John Klug said. “It’s not a long course so you don’t have to hit it deadly straight, but you do have to hit the right spots on the green.”
Speaking on what he will need to do to have success around Mill River CC Baker said, “The last time I played Mill River CC was back in the 1990s. I had a friend who knew the pro, so I played it at least 20 times but I’ve heard there have been a lot of changes since then. What I have heard is that precision with approach shots is important. The greens are well protected by bunkers, and I’ve heard they’re tricky to read. It’ll be crucial to hit the right spots on the greens.”
If players do hit the right spots on the green, they will have a number of birdie opportunities. “The course is not long so if you’re accurate and you hit the green and you get the right spot you can make a lot of birdies,” Klug said.
The birdie opportunities will certainly make for an exciting three days of match play. However, before the field of 32 is set the week will begin at 7:30 a.m. on June 30 with one round of stroke play qualifying.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 78
Past Champions (10): David Baker (2024), Glen Boggini (2023), Dave Jones (2022), Craig Platt (2021), Dave Szewczul (2010, 2012-2014, 2020), Mark Vasington (2019), Pat McGuiness (2018), Tom Brett (2017), Bruce Kraczkowsky (2016), Bill Hermanson (2015)
Players to Watch:
David Baker (Wallingford CC): The 2024 champion will be looking to become the first player to defend since Dave Szewczul won three in a row from 2012-2014.
Glen Boggini (Ellington Ridge CC): The 2023 winner made a valiant attempt at defending his title last year, reaching the quarterfinals.
Brian Hedstrom (Indian Hill CC): One year after finishing as the runner-up on his home course, Hedstrom is back looking to make another run.
Bill Hermanson (Black Hall Club): The three-time reigning Super Senior Player of the Year and 2015 champion regularly reaches match play.
Mike Hooper (Brooklawn CC): Last year, Hooper won the Connecticut Senior Amateur.
Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC): The 2022 champion reached the quarterfinals in 2023 during his title defense.
Patrick McGuiness (Keney GC): The 2018 winner reached the semifinals in 2020, in 2022 he made it to the Round of 16, and last year he made it all the way to the quarterfinals.
Bob Murphy (Brownson CC): The 2023 Connecticut Senior Amateur winner reached the finals of the Senior Match Play Championship in 2021.
Craig Platt (Mill River CC): The 2021 champion has reached match play twice since he captured his title. Now he has a chance to win the title for a second time, this time on his home course.
Dave Szewczul (TPC River Highlands): The five-time champion is back in the field this year.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Senior Match Play Championship 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.
