Danbury, Connecticut (September 1, 2026) – Following a morning rain delay that turned the 41st Public Links Championship into a 27-hole day at Richter Park Golf Course, Peter Tomlinson etched his name on the trophy for the third time.
Competing on his home course, Cole Crotty (Richter Park GC) held a one-shot lead after finishing the opening round with a 5-under 66.
Playing the back nine for the nine-hole shortened final round, Crotty began the round strong with a birdie on No. 10 and another to follow on hole No. 11. The back-to-back birdies put Crotty three strokes ahead of his opponents at 7-under with just seven holes remaining.
Two-time champion Peter Tomlinson (Orange Hills CC) began the final round one shot back following an opening round 4-under 66, and he maintained his spot near the top of the leaderboard thanks to a run of pars to begin the final round.
With Tomlinson holding steady, the gap narrowed to two shots as Crotty bogeyed No. 14, giving Tomlinson his chance to come back. Tomlinson took advantage with a birdie on No. 16 to move within one shot, and then with another birdie on No. 17 he moved into a tie for the lead.
Coming down to the very last hole, the par-4 18th, both players landed their drives in the right-side trees. Facing a challenging second shot, Crotty hit the trees, and after Tomlinson found the putting surface with a 5-iron from 200 yards, he was in the driver’s seat. Once on the green, Tomlinson was able to putt out for a nice par finish to earn himself the title of 41st Connecticut Public Links champion.
“I’m happy to be able to come out on top. It was a grind all day long, but I’m very proud of the way I played.” Peter Tomlinson said.
Reflecting on the day and what kept his head in the game, knowing that he had a shortened final round to make up the difference, Tomlinson said, “I just told myself to stay patient. I was playing with the leader; he made two birdies early on Nos. 10 and 11, and all of a sudden I’m three back, so it’s tough; but you have to stay patient.”
With Tomlinson winning the Public Links in 2019 as well as 2023, this is his third Public Links title, and this win holds a special place in his heart.
“I lost my mom last year in August. All day long I had her on my mind, and I could feel her with me today. After my first two Public Links wins, I was able to go home and give her a big hug, but I am going to go home and spend time with friends and family, and we’re going to celebrate, and we are going to remember Mom.”
Crotty ended up in second place, one shot back at 5-under; defending champion Justin Beal (Timberlin GC) was third at 3-under, Jiaming Liu (Tallwood CC) took fourth with a 2-under showing, while in fifth it was Mike Strong (Stanley GC) at 1-over.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association 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.
