Madison, Connecticut (May 31, 2022) – With a stellar round of 1-under 69 Dick Stevens earned medalist honors at the 16th Senior Match Play Championship presented by Middlesex Health.
On a hot and breezy day at Madison Country Club Stevens (Western Hills GC) was the only player to post a number in the red signing a scorecard that included three birdies and just two bogeys.
“The key for me today was no three putts. I am a good ball striker but putting is my bug-a-boo,” Stevens said. “I have been working incredibly hard on my putting the last three months.”
Stevens made the turn in 1-over 36 but was able to find another gear on the difficult back nine at Madison CC. Level par for the side through the first six holes the two-time Connecticut Senior Amateur champion closed in a flurry with two birdies in his final three holes.
Photo Gallery I Match Play Bracket
Facing a 25-footer on the par-4 16th Stevens rolled in the long-distance birdie putt and then capped his round with his final birdie of the day from 12-feet away on the closing par-4.
However, for as good as Stevens played today he knows that when match play begins anything can happen.
“Anybody can beat you. You have to play well all the time,” Stevens said. “If you happen to win a match that you don’t play well in you are fortunate.”
Second place was shared by five players who finished with 2-over 72s. The group included Jim Ezold (Black Hall Club), Paul Dinardo (Richer Park GC), Rich Quinn (Madison CC), Tom Yellin (The Stanwich Club), and defending champion Craig Platt (Mill River CC).
A nine-for-one playoff determined the final spot in the Round of 32. With a birdie on the first extra hole Todd Schaller (Green Woods CC) emerged victorious and will face Stevens in the Round of 32.
Match play will begin Wednesday with the Round of 32 in the morning followed by the Round of 16 in the afternoon. On Thursday play will continue with the quarterfinals and semifinals followed by the championship match on Friday.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Senior Match Play 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.
