New Canaan, Connecticut (October 1, 2024) – Michael Hooper began the final round of the 79th Connecticut Senior Amateur 5 over par and four shots off the pace. By the time he walked off the opening par-4 at the Country Club of New Canaan, he had recorded a double-bogey and it looked as if he would be an afterthought.
Two holes later when Hooper dropped another shot to fall to 8 over it seemed like the book had been closed on his chances. The only problem was nobody told Michael Hooper.
On a day when nobody in the field came close to breaking par Hooper (Brooklawn CC) began to see red as he made the turn.
In search of his first birdie of the day, Hooper found it on the long par-3 10th, and then with momentum on his side, he converted a second straight birdie on the 525-yard par-5 11th.
Meanwhile, as Hooper began to surge the names at the top of the leaderboard began to swirl. The day began with 2017 champion Patrick McGuiness (Keney Park GC) in the lead but after an early falter, both Eric Ashworth (Orange Hills CC) and CSGA executive director Mike Moraghan (CC of Waterbury) spent time leading the way.
However, as play headed down the stretch, it was Hooper who would continue to battle his way up the leaderboard while the rest of the field faded.
Following a dropped shot on No. 12, Hooper righted the ship with pars on the next two holes before beginning to take control of the tournament with birdies on Nos 15 and 16.
Playing the 353-yard par-4 15th Hooper stuffed his approach shot to six feet and then converted the birdie putt. On the next hole, the long par-5 16th, Hooper flagged his third shot setting up another six-footer for birdie. Once the putt dropped Hooper had returned to 5 over and had moved to the top of the leaderboard.
With two holes remaining and looking to hang on Hooper had another good look for birdie on No. 17 before settling for par. Needing one more par on the last Hooper caught a break.
Looking to hit the green with his approach shot on the par-4 18th to set up a two-putt Hooper’s second shot found the putting surface but almost immediately began to roll back down the slope. Hooper’s ball seemed destined to roll off the green but somehow it managed to settle in a sprinkler head and when he got relief he was able to two-putt and secure the one-shot victory.
“I’ve had a couple of close calls in this event so it means a lot,” said Michael Hooper who has finished in the top five twice since 2020. “I’ve been knocking at the door, but this is a great field and I’m just very proud and fortunate to be up on top.”
When all was said and done Hooper finished 5 over with rounds of 75-70. His final round even-par 70 was the round of the tournament.
Patrick McGuinness and Eric Ashworth shared second place at 6 over while in a tie for fourth at 9 over it was Dave Olender (Ellington Ridge CC) and Mike Moraghan.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Senior Amateur 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.
