New Canaan, Connecticut (September 30, 2024) – On a difficult day for scoring Patrick McGuiness carded a 1 over 71 and he will carry a two-shot lead into the final round of the 79th Connecticut Senior Amateur hosted by the Country Club of New Canaan.
2 over through three holes following a double bogey on N0. 2, McGuiness turned his day around with three straight birdies on Nos. 4-6.
Looking to spark his round McGuiness (Keney Park GC) rolled in a 30-foot sidewinder on the long par-5 4th for birdie and then continued his momentum with stuffed shots leading to birdies on the par-3 5th and par-4 6th to quickly jump to 1 under.
The 2017 champion and runner-up from a year ago did give a couple of shots back and he ended up making the turn at 1 over 35. On the back nine McGuiness continued to capitalize on birdie opportunities converting additional tries on the par-3 10th and par-4 15th. The two birdies offset a pair of bogeys as McGuiness played the back nine in even par 36.
“I made some putts. Just looked at them and made some,” Patrick McGuiness said. “The greens are mint. They are as good as we’ve played all year.”
CSGA executive director Mike Moraghan (CC of Waterbury) and Eric Ashworth (Orange Hills CC) are tied for second at 3 over with Barry Cater (Silver Spring CC) in fourth at 4 over. Eight others are tied for fifth at 5 over. The tied for fifth group includes Michael Hooper (Brooklawn CC), Shane Hassett (Glastonbury Hills CC), John Herbert (Rockledge CC), Michael Halpert (Highfield Club), Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC), Randy Rizy (Timberlin GC), Rick Nappi (Timberlin GC), Dave Olender (Ellington Ridge CC), and Jeffrey Dolin (Manchester CC).
The final round of the 79th Connecticut Senior Amateur will begin Tuesday morning at 8 a.m.
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.