Stratford, Connecticut (June 30, 2025) – On a picture-perfect final day of June, Keith Stone carded a 2-under 69 to earn medalist honors at the 19th Senior Match Play Championship.
Stone wasted no time beginning his day at Mill River Country Club with an opening birdie and then never looked back on his way to a four birdie, two bogey day.
“I pulled a drive left on the first hole but it actually ended up in a perfect spot,” Keith Stone said. “I was able to keep my approach shot below the hole and then I made the putt.”
Playing aggressively for much of the day, Stone (Connecticut National GC) was not only strong tee to green, hitting a number of greens in regulation but he also found the right spots on greens and spent much of the day putting from below the hole.
However, Stone who reached the Round of 16 in his first Senior Match Play appearance last year, knows that he has to remain sharp once match play begins.
“If I play like I did today, hitting greens in regulation, that’s how I’d like to play match play,” Stone explained. “I was pretty aggressive, so I don’t think I would change that.”
The top five was rounded out by D. Scott Mackesy (Bull’s Bridge GC) in second place at 1-under while Dave Olender (Ellington Ridge CC) took third at 1-over. Fourth place was shared by a group of six players at 2-over.
The fourth place group included Matthew D’Amico (Mill River CC), David Marshall (Quinnatisett CC), Frank Mollica (eClub of Connecticut), Michael Halpert (Highfield Club), Rob Tedoldi, Jr. (Connecticut National GC), and Bob Murphy (Brownson CC).
Meanwhile, the final spots in the bracket were determined by a 7-for-3 playoff with Gary Mattesen (Cedar Knob GC), Jim Ezold (eClub of Connecticut), and Jim Abbott (Timberlin GC) advancing.
The 19th Senior Match Play Championship will continue on Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. with the Round of 32 and 16 followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals on Wednesday. The 18-hole championship match will be contested on Thursday morning.
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.
