(July 30, 2024) – For the second straight year the Connecticut Public Links will head to Keney Park Golf Course. Last year Peter Tomlinson put together two impressive rounds of golf to earn his second Connecticut Public Links title. Tomlinson will now look to defend from August 6-7 in the 39th edition of the championship.
“We are proud to welcome the best of all public facility players to Keney Park,” said chief golf operations manager Ralph Salito.
The history of Keney Park GC dates back nearly 100 years to 1927 when Devereux Emmet, who also designed the Hartford Golf Club, Country Club of Farmington, and Congressional Country Club, mapped out the first nine holes. Four years later in 1931, the second nine was designed by City of Hartford engineer Robert “Jack” Ross.
In 2013 after nearly three decades of leasing the course the City of Hartford elected to move the operations back under the direction of the Department of Public Works. Shortly after the course embarked on a restoration project reopening in May of 2016. Since reopening the course has hosted the Connecticut PGA Championship, the Hartford Women’s Open, and the National Boy’s and Girl’s Junior PGA Championships.
Despite the relatively short layout, the course’s main defense is its undulating greens. Players can also expect challenges on the three consecutive par-4s to close out the front nine and the closing three-hole stretch on the back nine. The round will conclude with a difficult par-3 that measures almost 200 yards.
Meanwhile, the best opportunity for birdies can be found on the three par-5s. The longest of which is 533 yards.
“The best birdie chances on the course are the par-5s, Nos. 2, 10, and 14,” said Salito. “Those holes will be reachable in two with a good drive for most of the field.”
In 2023 Peter Tomlinson hardly missed a shot on his way to capturing the title. Ahead of this year’s championship Tomlinson discussed his keys to success at Keney Park GC.
“For me, it starts with placing the ball in the right spots off the tee. If I can drive it well, it allows me to be aggressive on the approach shots to hit the correct sections of the greens. Putting will be key for me as well, particularly lag putting, since these greens have a lot of slope. Eliminating the stress on and around the greens is something I’ll try to do again this year.”
Tomlinson’s appearance in the Connecticut Public Links will be just his third start of the year. After a 19th-place finish in the Russell C. Palmer Cup, Tomlinson was scheduled to play in the Connecticut Amateur but a scheduling conflict arose when Ben James qualified for the U.S. Open.
Tomlinson, a caddie at The Stanwich Club, has been a regular caddie for James and this summer has been particularly busy. Following a trip to Pinehurst for the U.S. Open Tomlinson was once again on the bag at the Rocket Mortgage Classic when James made his first PGA Tour cut. He was on the bag again at the 3M Open at the end of July.
“It’s been so much fun this year,” said Tomlinson. “We both got our first major championship experience at Pinehurst this year and we just tried to learn as much as we could and have as much fun as possible. Ben has been playing some great golf. He’s a very close friend of mine and I couldn’t be more proud of him and I’m incredibly thankful to be along with him on his journey.”
In addition, to being along for the journey Tomlinson is taking some of the things he is learning while caddying for James and implementing them into his own preparation and game.
“I’m definitely much more thorough in my charting and mapping of courses,” explained Tomlinson. “My experiences out on Tour talking with other caddies and players have opened my eyes to how detail-oriented you need to be to succeed at that level. I figure if I can bring elements of that level of preparation to my own game it will definitely give me an advantage.”
Tomlinson will attempt to put that advantage to the test when the 39th Connecticut Public Links begins on Tuesday, August 6. Following the first round the low 30 players and ties will make the cut and advance to Wednesday’s final round.
Notes on Field:
Number of Players: 118
Past Champions (4): Peter Tomlinson (2019, 2023), Mark Eells (2022), Chet Hrostek (2015), Rudy Hermstadt (2010)
Players to Watch:
Kyle Bilodeau (Blackledge CC): The runner-up last year, Bilodeau will be in the mix again this year. In June Bilodeau reached match play at the Connecticut Amateur.
Adam Friedman (Great River GC): So far this year Friedman has reached the quarterfinals of the Connecticut Amateur and tied for seventh at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC): The 2022 Senior Match Play winner was tied for the lead after the first round of the Connecticut Public Links last year before settling for a T3 finish.
Mike Kennedy (Tashua Knolls GC): Coming off a T3 showing at last year’s Connecticut Public Links Kennedy is having a strong 2024 highlighted by a T7 finish at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Ashton Lewis (H. Smith Richardson GC): After concluding a record-setting career at Eastern Connecticut State University in the spring, Lewis made a run to the Connecticut Amateur semifinals.
Peter Tomlinson (Orange Hills CC): The two-time champion will look to join five-time champion Dave Szewczul as the only player to win at least three Connecticut Public Links titles.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Public Links 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.
