Links: Match Play Results | Bracket | Photos
The final four is set at the 11th Senior Match Play Championship, with Bruce Kraczkowsky (Blue Fox Run GC), Eugene Fabbri (Brooklawn CC), Dan Connell (Brooklawn CC) and Tom Brett (Tallwood CC) all winning their respective quarterfinal matches to advance to the semifinals.
After knocking off Jeff Dolin of Manchester CC in a tough morning match by a score of 1 up, Kraczkowsky faced a formidable opponent in Jim Romaniello of Shorehaven GC, the 2014 New England Senior Amateur Champion. Despite an early 2-up lead, Romaniello fought back to square the match through 13 holes, with the pair only halving three holes in the entire match. Facing a pair of difficult birdie putts on the 14th and 15th holes, Kraczkowsky was able lag both putts to within a few feet, securing a pair of par’s and a 2 up lead which he wouldn’t relinquish.
With his 2 and 1 victory over Romaniello, Kraczkowsky secured his place in the semifinals and is hoping to follow in the footsteps of four-time champion Dave Szewczul by becoming just the second player in tournament history to defend their title.
The semifinals are also highlighted by two players from the host club, with Eugene Fabbri and Dan Connell advancing. Both Fabbri and Connell are making their first appearance in the semifinals of the Senior Match Play, and both are searching to capture their first CSGA championship title. Fabbri was able to knock off 2007 Connecticut Senior Amateur Champion Richard Stevens in his quarterfinal match to advance. Connell needed no more than 14 holes to win both his morning and afternoon matches, defeating Craig DuBois in the Round of 16 by a score of 6 and 5 and Paul Dinardo in the quarterfinals by a score of 5 and 4. Both players are also looking to become the first player in tournament history to win the event at their home club.
Tom Brett of Tallwood CC is making his second consecutive appearance in the semifinals after defeating 2013 Connecticut Senior Amateur Champion Jack Bracken in his Round of 16 match and Stephen Carruthers of H. Smith Richardson in the quarterfinals. Brett is searching for his first CSGA major championship victory, but has had numerous close calls, including advancing to the quarterfinals of the Connecticut Amateur in 2007 and a fifth place finish at the 2013 Mid-Amateur Championship.
The Senior Match Play Championship concludes Friday, June 9th, with the semifinal matches beginning at 8:00 a.m., followed by the final match in the afternoon. For more information and live hole-by-hole scoring, visit csgalinks.org.
Semifinal Pairings
8:00 a.m. – Bruce Kraczkowsky, Blue Fox Run GC vs. Eugene Fabbri, Brooklawn CC
8:10 a.m. – Dan Connell, Brooklawn CC vs. Tom Brett, Tallwood CC
Quarterfinal Results
Bruce Kraczkowsky, Blue Fox Run GC def. Jim Romaniello, Shorehaven GC, 2 and 1
Eugene Fabbri, Brooklawn CC def. Richard Stevens, Eclub of Connecticut, 3 and 2
Dan Connell, Brooklawn CC def. Paul Dinardo, Richter Park GC, 5 and 4
Tom Brett, Tallwood CC def. Stephen Carruthers, H. Smith Richardson GC, 5 and 4
Round of 16 Results
Jim Romaniello, Shorehaven GC def. Philip Perry, Black Hall Club, 4 and 3
Bruce Kraczkowsky, Blue Fox Run GC def. Jeff Dolin, Manchester CC, 1 up
Eugene Fabbri, Brooklawn C def. Jerry Morytko, Hunter GC, 3 and 2
Richard Stevens, Eclub of Connecticut def. Patrick McGuiness, Keney Park GC, 2 up
Dan Connell, Brooklawn CC def. Craig DuBois, Fairview Farm GC, 6 and 5
Paul Dinardo, Richter Park GC def. Mark Vasington, Wampanoag CC, 19 holes
Tom Brett, Tallwood CC def. Jack Bracken, Hartford GC, 2 and 1
Stephen Carruthers, H. Smith Richardson GC def. Randy Rizy, Timberlin GC, 6 and 5
